Problems in ‘hog alley’

[Oscar]

Problems in ‘hog alley’

[ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opini ... april-30-5 ]

Re: Let’s try a system that works — now (Think Tank, April 27)
[ https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opini ... -works-now ]

I have reviewed some of the previous phosphorus studies that had been carried out on Lake Winnipeg during the past years, namely by Environment Canada, Manitoba Water Stewardship and Manitoba Conservation, for sources of pollution.

The conclusions that I arrived at reveal a situation that should not be ignored or taken lightly, for it discloses that Manitoba’s Red River system, although six times smaller in area and length than the U.S. portion of its Red River, contributes nearly six times more phosphorus, per linear kilometre, than the southern portion of the Red River area in the United States.

Often referred to as “hog alley,” it is the core of swine production in the province. It’s little wonder that the contribution of phosphorus would be extremely high. It was readily identified as a ‘hot spot” area, during the 2007 clean environment report.

Manitoba’s government has been using Band-Aids to deal with the situation; when what is really needed, is a tourniquet.

John Fefchak
Virden