Farm water reassessment

Sharon McLeay

Times Contributor 

 

While talking about water after flooding may seem like overkill, the flood may be a good reminder for landowners to reassess ground water, riparian areas and wells. Good condition of these areas helps with flood prevention in the future and County and Federal programs are offering landowners money for improvements. 

“When in a properly functioning condition or healthy state, riparian areas are one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in the world. Healthy riparian areas sustain fish and wildlife populations, provide good water quality and stable water supplies, and support people on the landscape,” said Sarah Schumacher, Agricultural Conservation Coordinator for Wheatland County.

She said while they only occupy two to five per cent of the landscape, they make huge contributions. They trap and store sediment to maintain and build banks, recharge groundwater supplies, provide stable flow and flood protection, filter runoff and reduce the amount of contaminants and nutrients reaching the water. Fish and wildlife depend on this healthy environment and it encourages shelter and forage for livestock. 

Since 2011, Wheatland County has cost-shared projects to improve the quality of water in the County.

“The intent of the Wheatland County Water Protection Initiative is to work with interested landowners who wish to implement actions on their land, which conserve or improve water quality in Wheatland County. Interested landowners are invited to complete an application form that describes their project,” said Schumacher.

She said there were funds available as response has been slower than expected.

The Wheatland County Water Protection initiative is about managing access to water bodies, so that water quality is conserved or improved. Applications are accepted once every three years. Wheatland County shares half the costs of upgrades to a maximum of $3,000, or three quarters of the cost to a maximum of $3,500 for landowners with an Environmental Farm Plan, a complete green acreages guide, a manure or nutrient management plan, or riparian health assessment.

It covers any projects involving off-site watering systems, portable shelters, removal of well pits, abandoning un-used wells, riparian fencing, riparian buffers, manure management plans, any other idea that a landowner has which meets the purpose and intent of the program. The County wants to help land owners to put in place best management practices and increase the health of riparian areas, protect surface and groundwater sources, increased riparian health.

Funding will be provided on a first come first serve basis. The deadline for applications is December 1 of each calendar year. Contact Sarah Schumacher at 403 361-2027, or sarah.schumacher@wheatlandcounty.ca for more information. 

Applicants need an estimate of costs, description of the project and an explanation how you think it will impact water quality, for the application form. Applications are reviewed, and those accepted enter into written agreement with Wheatland County before project begins. Funding is not provided retroactively. Funds are paid out once a project is complete. If anyone has trouble with the application, county staff will be able to help them fill out the forms.

For those producers who have over $10,000 income from their land, the County initiative could go hand-in-hand with the Federal/Provincial Farm Water Management plan. You can see the money available for water improvement and other projects at www.growingforward.alberta.ca/Programs. Water projects funded include: new well construction, new dugout construction, spring development, farm site development, water well decommissioning and pit conversions.