Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) On-Reserve Permanent Diking

The Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) On-Reserve Permanent Diking ("The Project") has been developed to protect residences and critical infrastructure on reserve in Fisher River Cree Nation at risk from annual flooding of the Fisher River. The project that includes the following phases: 1a, 1b, and 2. Phase 1a consists of the immediate construction of permanent on-reserve diking to protect homes, critical infrastructure, and local road access, with a targeted construction date start date in August 2026. Phase 1b will consist of raising provincial roads and bridges to maintain access to the community and surrounding area during emergency flood events, with a target goal to be fully completed by 2028. Phase 2 is the development of long-term flood mitigation works to reduce the overall frequency and severity of flooding for which a completion date has yet to be defined.

 

This environmental review is only related to Project Phase 1a. Further environmental review will be required for the subsequent phases of the Project (Phase 1b and 2).

 

General Phase 1a Project Activities are on reserve and include the following:

·       Construction of permanent sub-division dikes and individual dikes for homes that are most at risk of annual flooding

·       A portion of one subdivision dike is located within the southern edge of Fisher Bay Provincial Park

·       Development and use of borrow area (s) on reserve

·       Raising of on reserve access roads where required

·       Drainage improvements, including installation of culverts and widening of ditches where required

·       Temporary stream crossings where required

·       Tree clearing only where necessary

·       Improve/maintain haul roads if necessary

·       Development of temporary laydown and camp areas

 

Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) is the proponent of this work and will be providing permitting and authorizations relevant to the FRCN Land Code. As well, all project activities must conform to the Fisher River Cree Nation Land Code. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is funding this work. Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) is providing the expertise and resources needed to support planning, design, and construction.  

 

Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)  will be engaged given the proximity to the Fisher River and associated tributaries. Manitoba Environment and Climate Change (ECC) will be engaged for any works in Fisher Bay Provincial Park.

 

All works related to Phase 1a of the Project will be on reserve, except where noted above, and all works are adjacent to the Fisher River. The Fisher River is considered a navigable watercourse within the project footprint. While borrow areas are not located within 100m of the Fisher River or any other navigable watercourse, portions of the individual and multiple property dikes may be within 30m of the Fisher River and associated tributaries. Phase 1a of the project does not anticipate works that will impact a navigable watercourse.

More

Latest update

July 24, 2026 – Indigenous Services Canada intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is  inviting public comments until August 24, 2026 respecting that determination.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Fisher River Cree Nation (FRCN) On-Reserve Permanent Diking - July 24, 2026

Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Shelly Johnson, Senior Environmental Specialist
200 - 365 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3A3
Telephone: 204-227-3891
Email: shelly.johnson@sac-isc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Fisher River First Nation (Manitoba)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Dams and reservoirs

  • Assessment Status

    In progress

  • Start Date

    2026-07-24

  • Proponent

    Fisher River First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Indigenous Services Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90667

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: