1. ................... Whitewater Lake Wildlife Management Area Public Information Session December 7 th, 2011

2. WWL - History Early recognition as an important staging and moulting area for waterfowl and other marsh birds. Designated as a Public Shooting Ground by federal government in 1925. During the drought of the 1930’s dugouts were blasted into lakebed to hold water in dry years Identified as a Candidate Heritage Marsh in early 1980’s.

3. WWL - History Designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in 1974 At one time WMA boundaries described as “the waters from day to day on Whitewater Lake”. WMA boundaries surveyed and designated in 1994

4. WMA Boundaries

5. Wildlife Management Areas The Manitoba Wildlife Act provides for the designation of Crown lands as wildlife Management Areas (WMA's) for the "better management, conservation and enhancement of the wildlife resource of the province.“ Wildlife Management Areas exist for the benefit of wildlife and for the enjoyment of people. They play an important role in biodiversity conservation and provide for a variety of wildlife-related forms of recreation.

6. International Recognition Whitewater Lake is one of Manitoba’s most productive large wetlands. Categorized as a Marsh of Great Significance in the NAWMP Implementation Plan Recognized as a globally significant Important Bird Area by Bird Life International

7. Rare Species at Whitewater Species diversity – Manitoba’s most diverse basin for waterbirds Unique species – Only location in province for some

8. Threatened and Endangered Species In low water cycles various threatened and endangered species utilize shore and upland habitat Ferruginous Hawk, Piping Plover, Loggerhead Shrike, Sprague’s Pipit.

9. Colonial Nesting Species Critical nesting area for Franklin’s Gulls

10. Recreation at Whitewater Watchable wildlife Waterfowl hunting in spring and fall Furbearer trapping

11. Ecosystem Dynamics at WWL Large shallow terminal basin with no outlet Flood – drought cycle is a key factor to the lakes productivity Development may introduce exotic species Stable water levels could negatively impact wildlife habitat

14. Summary The solution to the current situation requires an integrated approach that recognize the ecological values of Whitewater Lake, as well as the human needs and engineering options