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January/February 2004 Eco-Journal, Vol. 14, number 1
Manitoba
Eco-Network Inc. Newsletter
By David Danyluk - Save Our Seine River Environment
Inc
Long before the Seine River was ever called its
by current name, it meandered for centuries unimpeded across the
prairies, eroding its banks, depositing the silt downstream, creating
ox-bow lakes, and seasonally flooding its riverbanks.
This river environment was teeming with life. Hundreds
of plant species thrived in the adjacent meadows, forests and
prairies. Many different bird species visited or lived in this
rich blend of habitats. Dozens of fish species lived in the river
with beavers, muskrats, ducks and turtles. Buffalo by the thousands
actually roamed along the shores. This ecosystem effortlessly
supported all of these diverse forms of life.
Tamed by Engineers
Our own species has also been supported by this
rich ecosystem. Aboriginal populations relied upon the fertile
hunting grounds and the fruit bearing bushes. They lived in harmony
with the habitat around them. Today, our modern communities have
also grown and thrived along the shores of our prairie rivers.
Winnipeg has enveloped the Seine River and our urban development
now encroaches to the water's very edge. Our pipes penetrate beneath
the stream and roadways are suspended above it.
Our engineers have tamed the river into an obedient
tool. We have severed the river from its natural, prairie watershed
with our City's Floodway Diversion and forced the river to cross
underneath through a 48" pipe. We have altered its course and
reduced its volume to suit our needs. We have drawn its water
by the hundreds of thousands of liters to irrigate our recreational
spaces. In exchange, we direct the filthy runoff from our lawns,
roofs, driveways and streets into it, and let the little river
carry it away. We have produced an urban river and still the Seine
manages to remain a vibrant habitat.
It is almost unbelievable that our insatiable appetite
for urban growth has overlooked a significant piece of this original
environment. A small testament of this glorious, natural ecosystem
has been spared from our urban expansion and the impacts that
follow. An undisturbed, pristine forest remains within our community!
This perfect 80-acre forest is a beautiful mixture of River Bottom
Forest, ancient Ox-bow Wetlands, Tall Grass Prairie and a 100-year
old Bur Oak Forest (how many floods have they survived?). It still
welcomes and supports the most diverse range of species in the
region.
But this is not just a natural forest; it is also
a heritage forest. The forest is aptly named the Bois-des-esprits--a
legacy in spirit, not concrete. To remind us of a time when the
first Manitobans could tread lightly on the environment, a breathtaking
aspen grove has emerged in a clearing, once a Métis homestead.
The surrounding oaks were harvested as timbers for homes, fuel
and building ox-carts. These white aspen are quietly reclaiming
what space the forest once shared with the settlers. A Métis settler
and entrepreneur lived across the river. Louis Riel Sr. used the
clean, renewable resource of the river's current to power a gristmill.
This early accomplishment and his name would be forgotten, had
his son not brought our Province into Confederation.
An ecological jewel
The Bois-des-esprits is a sample of what the Seine
River environment once was before the modern City of Winnipeg
existed. The City Naturalist describes it as, "an ecological jewel."
This unique forest is also rare because of its size. It is of
a size that hopefully can withstand our ambitions for more homes,
more bridges, more streetlights, more concrete, more vehicles...
But if it is going to last as a habitat, all of it must be protected.
Its size will determine how resilient it will be to our human
stressors.
The City of Winnipeg and Save Our Seine River Environment
Inc. (SOS) worked very hard for several years on a major study
called the Seine River Greeenway Study. It required four additional
sub-studies covering river hydrology and hydraulics, bank stability,
vegetation audits and history of the Greenway. In this study,
it was recommended that the Bois-des-esprits be preserved.
Save Our Seine realized it needed a plan, and formed
a partnership with the Riel Development Corporation, with support
from Minister Ron Duhamel. Together they commissioned a Park Plan
Study by Gaboury Préfontaine Perry Architect.e.s (GPP). In 2000,
the Park Plan recommended that the forest be preserved with a
network of low-impact trails, a footbridge, and canoe launches.
Most importantly, an interpretive centre should be built nearby
to inform visitors of the sensitive habitat and its heritage value.
The study recommended the former Riel Mill Site (now vacant) as
the safest place to welcome and inform visitors.
Bulldozers go into action
Meanwhile, in April 2002, bulldozers went into action
to build yet another bridge for cars through the still-unprotected
forest. SOS raised the alarm that this forgotten natural space,
an important part of our community and our culture, was at risk.
The public outcry found its way into the media and captured the
attention of the City.
The City of Winnipeg supported the community's Park
Plan and launched a program to invite other levels of government
to help in the funding for the City's Natural Park. To lead the
way the City committed $2.1 Million that preserved over 60 acres.
The City challenged the community to help and SOS raised over
$115,000, which would be doubled by the City of Winnipeg to $230,000.
It is very fortunate that the Province of Manitoba
owns 38% of the forest through a joint venture with the Ladco
Company. As such, SOS approached them for support of the Bois-des-esprits.
MLAs Nancy Allen and Linda Asper were very supportive. After the
spring election, Nancy Allan was joined by MLAs Theresa Oswald
and Christine Melnick. These representatives proceeded to champion
the project within their government. After a cabinet shuffle,
the newly minted Ministers of Housing and Family Services (Melnick)
and Labour and Immigration (Allan) brought the issue to caucus.
Government and community together
As a result, on December 29th 2003 the City of Winnipeg,
The Province of Manitoba and Save Our Seine announced the first
ever partnership to protect and preserve the Bois-des-esprits.
The Province helped secure a total of 66 acres. This is an example
of how the government and the community can work together to protect
their invaluable natural resources.
Today there are still 15 acres that need to be preserved.
The City and Province are exploring land swap options and other
sources of funding, including the Federal government.
We must secure the last 15 acres, which includes
the homesteaders' aspen grove and ancient oaks. These acres will
ensure that the Bois-des-esprits will have the best chance to
be a pristine treasure to share with future generations.
For more information you can contact Save Our Seine
River Environment Inc. (SOS) at (204) 470-9247, e-mail coordinator@saveourseine.com,
visit the website www.saveourseine.com,
or mail P.O. box 83, 208 Provencher Blvd., Wpg, Mb R2H 3B4
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