Thursday, June 21, 2007
Letter to the Editor (Winnipeg Free Press)
Re: Sad-looking Seine River needs SOS (June 23)
A heartfelt thanks to Bill Redekop and the Free Press for shedding light on a shameful situation that has transformed a once-healthy, robust river into essentially a lifeless ditch.
The original proponents and designers of floodway infrastructure in the 1960s could perhaps be excused for their lack of knowledge of and insensitivity to the environment. After all, their mandate at the time was mainly flood protection and this likely mirrored public fears as well. Since then, public awareness and appreciation of nature have emerged as a key element in our quality of life.
At the time of construction in the 1960s, scant attention was paid to possible infractions of the Federal Fisheries Act and Navigable Waters Act. A time may come when a judicial review could find the province in contempt and order remedial actions. We sincerely hope it does not have to come to that.
Since construction of an inadequate pipe under the floodway and multiple diversion channels, the Seine River has been dying a slow death. Years of expert observation and several professional studies have confirmed that flows are far below historical levels, while rejuvenating spring freshets are a thing of the past. A new aqueduct under the floodway and control structures along the length of the Seine would go a long way toward ameliorating the considerable damage that continues to this day.
It is time public officials and politicians stepped up to the plate and did the right thing. I am confident that taxpayers would approve the costs, and generations would applaud the efforts.
JULES LEGAL
Save Our Seine (SOS)
Winnipeg
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