The Manitoba government reports that Parks Canada is thinking about shutting down a well-liked lake for boating this year due to zebra mussels.
Jamie Moses, the province’s natural resources minister, mentions that shutting down Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park could negatively affect tourism, the economy, and local residents.
Moses wants the federal government to involve people more in the decision-making process before making a final decision.
Parks Canada discovered live zebra mussels in the lake in November, and an infestation could cause irreparable ecological harm to the lake and surrounding bodies of water.
Clear Lake is a major destination for boaters in Manitoba, and zebra mussels can spread by latching onto boats.
Parks Canada indicates that no zebra mussel environmental DNA was found in the lake during winter testing, but a decision on lake use this summer has not been made yet.
A message on Parks Canada’s website warns that “Zebra Mussels may still be present despite negative (environmental DNA) results.”
“No decision has been made regarding the use of Clear Lake for 2024 due to the complexity of the situation and ongoing research efforts. Parks Canada remains committed to making the best decision based on available scientific evidence and feedback from stakeholders.”
The Opposition Progressive Conservatives in Manitoba urged the province to increase monitoring by adding more boat inspection stations and conducting more testing of waterways downstream, among other measures.
