Businesses, lake users fear ‘knee-jerk’ action by Parks Canada to combat zebra mussels

As ice continues its spring thaw in many parts of the country and boaters and paddlers gear up to hit the water, an invasive species that’s been slowly making its way westward across Canada for nearly four decades threatens to end the boating season before it even begins in Riding Mountain National Park. Parks Canada...

As ice continues its spring thaw in many parts of the country and boaters and paddlers gear up to hit the water, an invasive species that’s been slowly making its way westward across Canada for nearly four decades threatens to end the boating season before it even begins in Riding Mountain National Park.

Parks Canada notified the Manitoba government it is considering banning boats, canoes and kayaks on Clear Lake this year to combat zebra mussels, which were reportedly found at a boat launch there in last November. It’s the furthest west they’ve been found in Canada to date.

Water testing was done in over 74 per cent of the lake over the winter and didn’t detect zebra mussel DNA. But Parks Canada — and a zebra mussel researcher — say it doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Many who live and work in the area, three hours northwest of Winnipeg, say this is the time to beef up prevention and monitoring with checkpoints and decontamination stations to stop people from taking vessels into the water without proof it’s been cleaned, drained and dried.

“The rumblings of a complete watercraft ban are a bit of a knee-jerk reaction and we are asking for a look at a long-term solution,” says Karly McRae, a lifelong Clear Lake user and owner of Lakehouse Properties, a boutique hotel in Wasagaming.

“It’s critically important for Parks Canada to engage in a public consultation on this issue to hear from all stakeholders in the area.”

Parks Canada insists that’s happening. In an email to Global News, a spokesperson said they’ve “engaged with more than 500 individuals and organizations, including First Nations leaders and Elders, other levels of government, representatives from the local and provincial tourism industry, other businesses, environmental NGOs, volunteer organizations, anglers, boaters, as well as cottage and cabin owners.”

Manitoba Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses has said a boat ban would harm tourism, the economy and enjoyment of the national park.