Take control of charging water

Producers may be eligible for funding for erosion control structures

By Kate Ayers

Runoff and soil erosion are major issues in some areas of Ontario, and best management practices (BMPs) cannot always solely solve these problems, says Brad Glasman, manager of conservation services in the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority.

Rather, the combined use of BMPs and erosion control structures may help to reduce the removal of precious topsoil from fields and maintain soil productivity levels, according to Shannon Stephens, Healthy Waters Program coordinator at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) received funding under Growing Forward 2 to assist farmers with these projects but most of its programs conclude at the end of the year. Farmers who received approval need to complete their projects by Dec. 15, according to Margaret May, OSCIA regional program lead.

Some conservation authorities have programs in place, but program availability and funding amounts differ by area.

Erosion Control

Photo credit: Kate Monk photo

And the extent of funding applications vary by type of project. Many landowners in the Peel region, for example, have applied to the funding programs for improving ground and surface water quality. Fewer have applied specifically in the erosion control structures category, says Mark Eastman, agricultural extension program coordinator at Credit Valley Conservation.

For more information on the specific programs offered by your conservation authority, refer to the links below. (Some conservation authorities, denoted on the list with **, did not have any information available on their websites.)

To find the conservation authority in your area, click here.

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
http://www.abca.on.ca/page.php?page=grants

Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority**

Catfish Creek Conservation Authority**

Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority**

Conservation Halton**

Conservation Sudbury **

Credit Valley Conservation
https://www.creditvalleyca.ca/your-land-water/countryside-stewardship/ag...

Crowe Valley Conservation Authority**

Essex Region Conservation Authority
http://erca.org/programs-services/landowner-grants/

Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
http://www.grca.on.ca/programs-stewardship/

Grand River Conservation Authority
https://www.grandriver.ca/en/our-watershed/Brant.aspx