Feds conduct environmental assessment for Manitoba flood control project

OTTAWA – The federal government is conducting an environmental assessment of the proposed Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels project.

The project, a new permanent flood control management system located in the Interlake region of Manitoba, would consist of two new diversion channels each approximately 24 kilometres long.

The first runs northwards from Watchorn Bay on Lake Manitoba to Birch Bay on Lake St. Martin (Lake Manitoba Outlet Channel). The second runs northeast from Lake St. Martin to Sturgeon Bay on Lake Winnipeg (Lake St. Martin Outlet Channel).

The project also includes construction of two combined bridge and water control structures, a 24-kilovolt distribution line and the re-alignment and/or construction of provincial highways, municipal roads and three bridge structures, an Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) release said.

The IAAC is inviting the public and Indigenous groups to comment on the draft environmental assessment report which includes conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project and proposed key mitigation measures and follow-up programs.

The agency is also inviting comments on the draft potential conditions for the project. Final conditions would become legally-binding for the proponent if the minister of environment and climate change issues a decision statement indicating the project may proceed, the release said.

Comments should be submitted online by visiting the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 80148) or by emailing the agency. Comments can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on May 8.

To learn more about the project check out our previous coverage here.