The Wilderness Committee delivering 3,057 more letters asking for lower Bird River protection

WINNIPEG - At 10:30 a.m today, the Wilderness Committee is delivering another 3,057 letters to Premier Brian Pallister’s office. These letters are asking for the beautiful lower Bird River in eastern Manitoba to be protected, following 3,600 letters delivered last year.

“I think it's important for the new Premier and new Sustainable Development Minister to see that Manitobans want action to protect the lower Bird River, as is demonstrated by another three thousand signed letters,” said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee.

This delivery coincides with upcoming World Rivers Day this Sunday, September 25, and the Wilderness Committee’s 3rd Annual Paddle for Protection day trip on the lower Bird River.

“Our Paddle for Protection day trips have been extremely popular, as we showcase this wonderful wild area, and everyone who learns about the lower Bird River corridor wants to see it protected,” said Reder.

Recently a controversial plan by Cabot Corporation to drain mine-contaminated water from their TANCO mine operation threatened the lower Bird River, however public outcry led by the Wilderness Committee halted that project. As well, the forested banks of the lower Bird were previously at risk from logging operations.

The Wilderness Committee is calling for a 17-kilometre long protected area that stretches 1.5 kilometres on either side of the river, from the Nopiming Provincial Park boundary to Hammerstead Falls, at the first cottage development.

“This protection proposal has been presented to the Manitoba government numerous times over the last three years, and yet the transition documents provided to brief the new Sustainable Development Minister omitted any mention of the lower Bird River,” said Reder. “The lower Bird River is wilderness worth protecting, and Manitobans support preserving this river.”

–30–
 

For more information, please contact:
Eric Reder | Manitoba Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee
204-997-8584, eric@wildernesscommittee.org

Additional Media Resources:
PHOTO: Paddlers on the lower Bird River
EVENT: Paddle for Protection