Greg Nesbitt, MLA for Riding Mountain
NEWS RELEASE
February 2, 2018
For Immediate Release
PC GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN
AQUATIC INFRASTRUCTURE
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Projects at Shell River Weir and Silver Beach to receive total of $46,830 in funding
Shoal Lake, Manitoba – Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt has announced $46,830 in funding for two aquatic infrastructure projects in the Lake of the Prairies Conservation District.
“Our government understands the importance of our lakes and rivers,” said Nesbitt. “This investment in critical aquatic infrastructure will help ensure our waterways remain healthy and productive.”
The funds for the two projects in the Riding Mountain constituency were approved by Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires under the Fisheries Enhancement Fund.
Funding of $25,000 will go towards understanding the effectiveness of a fish passage constructed by the Lake of the Prairies Conservative District at an impassable control structure over the Shell River Weir upstream of Lake of the Prairies in 2016.
The fishway was constructed to allow fish to access the valuable spawning and nursery habitat upstream of the weir. The fishway was also built to create additional spawning habitat within the river.
The objectives of this project are: determine the effectiveness of the fishway; determine species and numbers of fish able to pass the structure; follow fish movement upstream using radio tags; and identify upstream spawning grounds.
Information from the study will also be used as an educational tool for students at area schools.
Funding of $21,830 will go towards the installation of a new aeration system at Silver Beach, north of Angusville.
The Province of Manitoba stocks roughly 400,000 walleye fry per year in Silver Beach. Without proper oxygen levels in the lake, the current stock of fish would likely winterkill.
This new aeration system will be more efficient using between $1,000 and $1,500 in hydro each month, rather than the $3,000 currently being paid by the Rural Municipality of Riding Mountain West.
The Lake of the Prairies Conservative District and municipality will work closely on operation and maintenance of the equipment.
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For more information, please contact:
Office of Greg Nesbitt, MLA
204-759-3313
gregnesbittmla@mymts.net