CLEARWATER LAKE NEWS UPDATE (Summer, 2005) The Clearwater Lake Cottagers' Association, Inc. (The Pas) has learned that Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) is negotiating with the Province of Manitoba to obtain a long-term lease on Hugo Bay land (southeast portion of Clearwater Lake Provincial Park).  The decision to proceed with lease negotiations appears to be a political one. Several studies of the lake and its watershed in the 1980s recommended that there be no further development allowed, as it might seriously degrade the quality of the lake. A list of recommendations, to ensure continued protection of the pristine quality of Clearwater Lake, were presented the Director of Parks, Mr. Gordon Jones, in the event that further development within the watershed is considered or allowed. These recommendations are: 1. The management plan and land use policy for Clearwater Lake Park should be brought up to date (1986 is the last known published plan). 2. Any proposals for development of raw land in the park watershed must be subjected to environmental review (including public hearings) prior to issuing permission to proceed. 3. The local sewage lagoon (Orok) is at full capacity now and any new development may have consequences, such as a need for expansion. 4. Land use permits must treat all park land lessees equally - lease fees are 4% of 1981 land values, therefore any lease granted now should be subject to equitable fees. 5. The Hugo Bay campsite was de-commissioned in the 1980s  and the sewage lagoon was rendered unserviceable.  Since it drained into the lake, it must remain unused and any new effluent generated must be hauled to a site outside of the watershed. If you wish to express concerns regarding this situation, write to: The Honourable Gary Doer, Premier, 204 Legislative Building, 450 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0V8 Honourable Stan Struthers, Minister of Conservation, 333 Legislative Building, 450 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0V8 Honourable Oscar Lathlin, Minister of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, 344 Legislative Building, 450 Broadway Ave., Winnipeg, MB,  R3C 0V8