Province failing to protect wetlands by allowing development in subdivision near Gimli, residents say

A group of Interlake residents say the Manitoba government is turning a blind eye to a housing development they allege would destroy a wetland.

They gathered at the Manitoba Legislature on Tuesday to hand-deliver documents they say demonstrate the province isn't protecting the wetlands in Miklavik, a subdivision just off of Highway 9 south of Gimli, about 80 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

The province granted permission in 2016 for some construction work in the area after three previous — and more ambitious — development applications were denied, according to the residents who formed a group called The People for the Preservation of the Willow Island Coastal Wetland.

They say earlier proposals were rejected because of an understanding that development should not occur on a wetland, but those objections appear to have been rescinded.

Complicit in wetland destruction: Smith

"We are concerned for the loss of that natural habitat," said Jeff Smith, speaking on behalf of the group.

The province, however, says development is not prohibited at that location. Regrading and fill work there was approved in 2016, since the site was disturbed for flood mitigation efforts more than a decade ago, the province said.

The government said it reminded the land owner of the scope of its work but the developer proceeded this year, without permission, to build a channel for boat access. The province forced a stop to the construction when it became aware in March. 

"The land manager has been co-operative and the department continues to monitor the site to ensure compliance with the direction provided," the government said in an email.

A previous application for the land sought to build a subdivision of 156 homes, Smith said. 

The latest proposal, on a smaller segment of land, is just one family home with water access to the lake, said property owner Ben Rutz in a letter to the editor published in The Express Weekly News this month. 

"This is nothing more and nothing less than all other houses that have been developed, or are currently being developed, in this area," his letter reads.

Smith argued the government is complicit in the degradation of a wetland habitat, willfully or not. 

"It seems ironic to me, and ironic to us, that the province will tout a $102-million conservation trust to fix the problems that are being created by the destruction of [wetlands] in the first place," he said, referring to a recent announcement about a fund to support conservation projects.

"Our family is committed to preserving our beautiful habitat," Rutz said in his letter in the Weekly Express.

"In fact, we have donated nearly 35 acres of Class 5 wetland to the RM of Gimli to preserve the land as a bird sanctuary for the generations to come. It was one of the last wishes of my father, Max Rutz, who passed away from cancer." 

The province said in a statement approvals for lot development are a municipal responsibility, but it determined the proposal did not warrant a Water Rights Act licence.

The Eastern Interlake Planning District said it has yet to receive a building permit application for the property.