North Dakota changes Devils Lake outlet permit

The controversial Devils Lake diversion in North Dakota has taken another step toward having its water flow north to Manitoba.

The North Dakota state Health Department decided Thursday to change the permit for the outlet, which connects to the Sheyenne River.

The changed permit extends the time the diversion can be open each year, and increases the maximum sulphate level in the water, from 300 milligrams per litre to 450 milligrams per litre.

This change will allow the Devils Lake outlet to start operating earlier and tocontinue for longer periods of time.

The diversion has not been used at all this year because the level of sulphates exceeded even the new operating levels.

Manitoba Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton said he was disappointed by Thursday's move by the North Dakota government, and is considering making an appeal.

"What is this message to Manitobans today? If you don't like the environmental standards, change them, move the goalposts, weaken the standards," Ashton said Thursday. "Quite frankly, to North Dakota, what's next?"

Provincial officials, environmentalists and fishery workers in Manitoba havefought against the Devils Lake outlet's construction and operation, saying it brings inferior water, possibly contaminated with pollutants or tiny organisms, into the Red River and Lake Winnipeg watershed.

Ashton said he does not believe there is enough new evidence to support relaxing the environmental standards that have governed the project.

He said he also wants the federal government to call on the Americans to give a firm timeline for building an advanced, permanent filter on the outlet.