The Manitoba government is looking at setting aside the Saskatchewan River Delta near The Pas as a permanently protected area, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie said Wednesday.

The protected status for the delta means logging, mining and other industrial encroachment would be restricted. Blaikie offered no timeline for the designation, but said it has been identified by the province as one deserving of protected status.

Blaikie made his comments after meeting with Eric Reder of the conservation group the Wilderness Committee. Reder was at the legislative building to drop off 5,000 letters to Premier Greg Selinger from Wilderness Committee supporters asking the province to move swiftly to protect five "conservation hotspots' in the province.

"The Saskatchewan River Delta is one of the greatest freshwater deltas in the world," Reder said.

"There's a half a million migratory birds going through there every year. Every conservation group recognizes this.

"They've been working on this for years and years. We need to see some movement and to protect the area."

Reder said the delta is under threat from loggers.

"It's just not something we need to put anymore at risk. Those days are past where you can just do industrial activity with abandon in our natural areas."

Earlier this year, Premier Greg Selinger said his government will set aside a huge part of the Hudson Bay coastline and lowlands as a protected area.

The vast area, known as the Kaskatamagan Sipi and Kaskatamagan Wildlife Management Areas, is home to polar bears, beluga whales, bearded seals and ringed seals, numerous bird species and coastal caribou.

Reder said the province could be moving faster to protect more of its wilderness areas.

"The truth is we are very, very behind schedule in protecting Manitoba," Reder said.

"In 1990 we said we were going to protect 12 per cent of the province. We're 10 years behind in not reaching a goal we realize now is far too low."

Five conservation hotspots in Manitoba

Saskatchewan River Delta: On the Manitoba-Saskatchewan boundary near The Pas, it's one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world. About a half million ducks and geese use it for breeding.

Chitek Lake Park Reserve: On the shore of Lake Winnipegosis, it's the only place where wood bison (introduced), woodland caribou, moose, elk and white-tailed are found.

Upper Whitemouth River: Its clear river waters in southeast Manitoba need protection from peat mining operations and agriculture encroachment.

Fish Lake: A spring-fed peatland between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba that is home to unique plants.

Gardenton tall grass prairie and pansy pasture: A 2,000-hectare natural grassland in southeast Manitoba near the U.S. border.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 7, 2010 A6

Photo: Saskatchewan River Delta