After sending a letter to the park. this is the response.   Please share this petition and have as many sign it as possible.

Hello,

Thank you for your letter stating concern about the future of Clear Lake.

Parks Canada takes seriously its mandate to protect the ecological integrity of Riding Mountain National Park for current, and future, generations. When making decisions about managing the areas Parks Canada administers, many factors must be considered. As a primary focus of Parks Canada’s mandate, ecological integrity will be at the core of decisions. However, it is not the only factor to be considered. Park representatives continue to engage with stakeholders prior to making any decision about the management of Clear Lake for 2024.

The aquatic invasive species program at Riding Mountain National Park has always been based on the best available science. In the past, efforts have focused on preventing the introduction of zebra mussels and other invasive species. The retrieval of a group of mussels from Boat Cove in November 2023, has prompted further research and an options analysis of potential management of Clear Lake. The options being considered range from changes to rules and regulations put in place for 2023, through to a closure of the lake to all activities except swimming. No decision has yet been made on these options.

The discovery of the presence of zebra mussels in Clear Lake is a considerable shift to the status quo. Parks Canada now has a responsibility to minimize the potential impacts of an invasion in Clear Lake, as well as on downstream and surrounding waters. This may require further controls as the focus now turns to slowing or stopping the potential spread within Clear Lake and to other waterbodies in and around the park.

Parks Canada staff will continue to work with the top scientific experts in this field, including representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of Manitoba’s Aquatic Invasive Species unit, and representatives from across the Parks Canada network. Additionally, we are working alongside representatives of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway First Nation, as well as the Coalition of First Nations with Interests in Riding Mountain National Park to understand the impacts of decisions on Indigenous rights.

Parks Canada welcomes further discussion on this topic and will continue to make information public as it comes available. The intention is currently to have a decision communicated before the end of February, to give people, businesses and other organizations time to plan. However, if that date needs to be revised based on new developments or further input, it will be. You can become informed about the current situation by visiting our website at https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/nature/conserv/aqua/faq

Leanne Cooper

Pronouns: she, her / Pronom : elle

Superintendent, Riding Mountain Field Unit
Parks Canada / Government of Canada
135 Wasagaming Drive, PO Box 299, Onanole, Manitoba. R0J 1N0