WINNIPEG - The Wilderness Committee is calling on the provincial government to investigate an irrigation operation along the Little Saskatchewan River in western Manitoba that is violating the conditions of its Environmental Licence. The project – operated by Daly Irrigation Development Group (DIDG) under Environmental Licence #3010 – is operating more pumps than they are licenced for, irrigating land they are not licenced to irrigate, and irrigating before an analytical report of the land to be irrigated is completed.

“Very simply, we have to take better care of water in Manitoba,” said Eric Reder, Campaign Director at the Wilderness Committee.

Despite weeks of communicating to the Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister’s office that licence conditions are being violated, no response has been forthcoming. Several appeals of this licence were filed in July 2012, and have not yet been answered.

“For more than a year, the government has failed to deal with problems raised in appeal,” said Reder. “Meanwhile, DIDG is not even conforming to the licence as issued. Manitobans deserve better environmental protection from their government.”

The Wilderness Committee is asking the Manitoba government to revoke DIDG’s licence for failing to adhere to the conditions, and to issue severe fines for drawing water from the Little Saskatchewan River outside of the conditions of their Environmental Licence.

The irrigation transgressions by DIDG are part of an ever-growing problem with Environmental Licences in Manitoba.

“Here’s a list from the last year: Hudbay Minerals is building the Reed Mine inside a provincial park before an Environmental Licence is issued, San Gold Corporation clearcut a forest for a tailings pond before a licence has been issued, and DIDG is pulling water from the Little Saskatchewan before their licence conditions are met,” said Reder. “Do I see a pattern of flagrant disregard for Manitoba’s Environment Act by industry and the government? Yes, absolutely.”

The abuse of our public water and natural waterways is not a trivial issue. Last year the federal government eliminated protections for our water, and the provinces have not made up for that loss.

“Provincial and federal politicians of all stripes need to bring water to the top of their agenda. As Manitobans and Canadians, we need to demand protection for the precious gift that is fresh water,” Reder said.