• Pump test number ONE,     here the Department of Water     Services  in partnership with PFRA     and local Government are undertaking      a pump test to answer the question, of     supply, for the Gull Lake Basin     Management Board.  This first  Exploration well test lasted 2 days and the temporary well was removed • The test is positive, in fact the    results demonstrate a location that    could produce some 1,200 gallons    per minute - four times the amount    demonstrated in the need       statement presented by the Gull    Lake Basin Management Board.

The community would respect and  accept the challenge of Sustainable Development and shortly pursue the undertaking of a SECOND pump test, in order to respond to the opponent's consideration.  This pump test was performed by a hands-on approach  by the community under the direction of the Province of Manitoba.  The work order was very labor intensive requiring 29 different people from 20 different families, and ample donations from private business.  The tests where accomplished over a 2 week period consuming 1,300 man hours as defined by the Department of Natural Resources.   This test also came within budget thanks mainly to those who donated their time free of any charges.

A matter of Policy The Board would spend a great deal of energy with the Department of Natural Resources itself on a matter presented by their staff.  The policy group had presented  a non existent (Ground Water Policy) in order to stop the project.  Later the Minister, Mr. Glen Cummings, would intervene after reviewing  the presentations of the Board.  The Minister ordered the project to continue.  (Letter on file).  The second pump test was very revealing. The outcome highly suggests both the Gull Lake project and the needs of the protected area could co - exist.   A final pump test with defined principals had been tendered and remains ('2002) to conclude this project.

For the Gull Lake Community the stakes are rather high for the communities longevity.                 The water project for Gull  Lake is not ample to fill up this lake, it was never designed as such,  however it is more than ample to supplement waters lost over time on a year to year basis as drought periods begin to appear.   This environmental knowledge of the surroundings continues to fuel many  in a positive light.   The Process must include the tests of sustainable development apart from emotion..  Costs In  physical operation a system as presented by the Board would cost about the same as it costs to power 10 city street lights, amoritised on a 25 year historical record.

Of a note of positive interest. • There is another lake in the Province of Manitoba  that utilizes the same    concept as presented by the Gull Lake Basin Management Board.  The project came post the concept of Gull Lake, cost in excess of a quarter million dollars and came into being without a public consultation process.  This lake as well pumps more water over 25 years than Gull Lake demands.  This lake is 26 acres in size has no surrounding assessment to supports its request and was excluded from undertaking an Environmental Licence process altogether.  The Lake is known as Birds Hill Park. (Property of the Province of Manitoba)

In Search of Water

In this picture one can see a fen area that would come into play for the Gull Lake Community.  Throughout the licencing process one lone individual a Mr. Bud Ewacha would point to this consideration - The fen included some unique, but not extinct floral cover(s).