Zebra mussels: RM of Prairie Lakes taking action [Video]

A Manitoba community is proactively trying to avoid zebra mussels entering the nearby lake.

The RM of Prairie Lakes in southwestern Manitoba will start charging a fee next year to try and slow the spread of zebra mussels, and will ask boaters to adopt a one-waterbody watercraft policy for Pelican Lake.

“We don’t want to deter people coming to Pelican Lake or being on the lake, but we want to be proactive as to what type of vessels are coming,” said Darren Seymour, the reeve of the RM of Prairie Lakes.

The municipality is encouraging boaters to buy a decal for their watercraft, allowing them access to restricted boat launches on the lake. The decal is $100 a year for powered and keeled watercraft and indicates the watercraft will only be used to go into Pelican Lake. Canoes and kayaks are a one-time $25 fee.

Those who choose not to …