Wheatland County backs call to preserve watershed restoration funding

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County will ask the province to reconsider the discontinuation of a watershed funding program used to support environmental projects on agricultural lands.

Council voted Sept. 8 to authorize the reeve to co-sign a letter with the agricultural service board chair regarding the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program.

Council heard the province is no longer expected to accept new applications under the program once existing commitments are completed.

The issue had previously been discussed by Wheatland County’s Agricultural Service Board.

Administration brought a draft letter to council after the board requested municipal support for advocacy asking the province to continue the program.

The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program has been used to support work intended to improve watershed health and resilience.

During council discussion, the importance of the funding to local agricultural producers was highlighted. 

“I just think it’s important,” Coun. Shannon Laprise said. “We have a lot of producers in the area who use that grant funding to protect our waterways, including Rosebud and Crowfoot creeks.”

Laprise said losing the program could leave a gap for producers undertaking that type of work.

“It’s a shame that the province is potentially or maybe already has wrapped up that program,” Coun. Laprise continued. “I think it’s worthwhile to send a letter just to express our disappointment or advocacy to do something else or something to replace it or whatever.”

Council approved the motion authorizing the letter to be sent to Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas.