Everyone benefits when water quality is
improved, and the Wellington Rural Water Quality Program is helping farmers do
their part.
Wellington County provided $425,000 for
the program in 2017 to support farmers on a wide range of projects that not
only enhance their operations but safeguard or improve local water and soil.
Similar programs with different levels of funding are available in other areas.
“The counties and regions provide this
money voluntarily, because they see the benefit to the community,” said Louise
Heyming, Supervisor of Conservation Outreach with the Grand River Conservation
Authority (GRCA).
The benefits of improved water quality,
according to the program terms of reference, include a safe, secure water
supply, a healthy aquatic ecosystem, increased recreational opportunities,
sustainable agricultural operations and a vibrant economy.
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Buffer zones next to waterways reduce erosion and the runoff of fertilzers and pesticides,
and help create a better habitat for fish and other wildlife.
Photo - Grand River Conservation Authority
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The program promotes a positive attitude
in the farm community, encouraging the adoption of best management practices.
To qualify for support, farmers must
attend a one-day educational workshop to create an Environmental Farm Plan. If
their applications for specific projects are approved by a review committee,
they can proceed with the work and receive compensation when it is complete.
The committee has representatives from
local farm organisations, as well as the county and the Ministry of
Agriculture. Priority is given to projects with the greatest potential to
improve or protect water quality.
“The Rural Water Quality Program (RWQP)
has provided a sustainable source of funding to assist the Wellington farm
community for 18 years,” said Gary Cousins, former Wellington Planning
Director, in a report last year. “Demand for the program remains high with an
average of nearly 200 projects completed annually.”
The largest grants are up to $25,000,
covering half the cost of manure storage structures. These reduce contamination
of surface water and runoff into waterways.
Farms can be hard on the land, and the
water that flows through it. The necessities of farming, from land clearing and
fertilizer storage to the grazing of cattle have put a lot of stress on the
environment. Farmers and conservation authorities are trying to strike a better
balance on agricultural land, and reverse some of the damage done in the past.
Within the Grand River watershed, which
includes the west half of the Town of Erin, the program not only improves the
local environment but also reduces the nutrient impact on Lake Erie. All of the
money provided by Wellington taxpayers goes to projects within the county.
Some funding is in the form of a
“performance incentive”, based on the size of the project. For example, a
farmer can receive $100 per acre for planting cover crops, which enrich the soil
and reduce erosion. There is $350 per acre for planting trees on up to 10
acres, to create stream buffers, retire fragile land or create field
windbreaks; and $500 per acre to plant living snow fences that retain moisture
on the land and protect roadways from drifting snow.
The program stimulates private investment,
since landowners often contribute an amount in cash, materials or labour. Since
1999, the program has funded more than 2,600 projects valued at more than $21.5
million. County farmers have contributed $13.5 million and the County of
Wellington $5.1 million, with the remainder from other funding sources.
Some highlights include: 172 manure
storage facilities, 46 kilometres of watercourse fences, 58 kilometres of stream
bank buffers, 177 kilometres of windbreak, 12 kilometres of living snow fence,
408 wells decommissioned, 407 wells upgraded and 1,200 acres of marginal land
retired.
The program is not just for farmers –
there is $50,000 set aside for grants of up to $2,500 to cover 100 per cent of
the cost to decommission old wells on any county property.
Other grants available include $5,000 for
water diversion, $10,000 for livestock restriction, $10,000 for erosion control
structures, $4,000 for fuel storage and handling, $5,000 for machinery
crossings and $2,000 for wellhead protection. These cover 50-80 per cent of
costs, but can be combined with other funding. Staff can assist with planning
and the application process.
The Region of Peel started its own Rural
Water Quality Program in 2005, working with Credit Valley Conservation (CVC)
and the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
“Our family is proud of our contribution
to protecting water quality,” said Sharon Rowe of Shallow Brook Farms, on the
CVC website. “Every year, we’ll be able to watch the trees and shrubs we helped
plant mature, enjoy the increased wildlife on our farm and appreciate the
beauty of our naturalization project.”
For more information on the Peel program,
contact Mark Eastman at CVC, meastman@creditvalleyca.ca.
“The
application process was surprisingly user-friendly and expedient. We received
great support from program staff,” said Randal Ugolini, of Highpoint Farms in
Caledon.
Funding from Dufferin County has been
sporadic, but was recently renewed with a commitment of $20,000. For more
information on the Wellington or Dufferin programs, go to grandriver.ca or
email ruralwater@grandriver.ca.
