Prevent Community Wide Economic Impact Resulting from Banning Trailered Boats on Clear Lake

 

Attn:  

Stakeholder Groups, Visitors and Lake Users in Riding Mountain National Park

Cc: Leanne Cooper, Superintendent Riding Mountain National Park

And RMNPC Management TEAM

 

Currently, Riding Mountain National Park is considering changes to boating access on Clear Lake to mitigate future impacts of possible Aquatic Invasive Species entering Clear Lake waters.  It is important to note that zebra mussels have not been found in Clear Lake or Riding Mountain National Park waters.  Access changes to Clear Lake are being considered by Riding Mountain National Park following one positive eDNA sample from August of 2022 at the boat cove in Clear Lake.  Extensive subsequent testing has yielded no further positive eDNA tests, and no zebra mussels have been detected in Clear Lake or RMNPC waters.

Signatories identified here strongly suggest that Parks Canada continue allowing trailered watercraft access to Clear Lake for the 2023 season following completion of a seasonal permit course similar to past boating seasons.  It is our recommendation that this course be available to visitors to complete throughout the 2023 boating season and that efforts to educate visitors and lake users on the impacts of AIS infestation be scaled up immediately.  Consideration must be given to a system that minimizes economic impacts on our communities and at the same time ensures the health of the lake for future generations. 

It is important to note that the stakeholders identified here strongly support efforts to prevent AIS infestation in Riding Mountain National Park waters through robust visitor communications, watercraft inspection stations at all points of entry to RMNPC and Clear Lake. 

Negative economic impacts resulting from banning of trailered watercraft on Clear Lake will be far reaching.  Business valuations will plummet and all business sectors will be impacted —from visitor accommodations to local contractors and service providers.  The health of the community of Wasagaming and the neighbouring Municipality of Harrison Park business communities hinge on a robust tourism industry.  While it is impossible to accurately project revenue losses, negative impacts on business valuations and impending job losses the impacts will be wide ranging as the tourist dollar truly impacts all aspects of community life in our region.  

We implore the Riding Mountain National Park Management team to allow time to collect research and data which explores these impacts and more fully considers the long term detriment to our community in making sweeping changes to boating access to Clear Lake for the 2023 season.