The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program’s Riparian & Grazing project category funds projects such as fencing to manage and improve riparian condition and function (1003) and alternative watering systems to manage livestock (1001)

To learn more about the BMP program, other BMP categories, program eligibility criteria, and/or notifications & obligations, please visit the BMP page. 

We encourage you to sign up for the BMP newsletter to learn about program updates and deadlines >>>> 

Sign up for BMP Updates


Area of Interest:

Activity Details

Eligibility

Obligations

Dates

Apply

Resources & FAQ

Category Details

Cost Shared Ratio: 60%
Maximum funding amount: $70,000
Application Open: February 20, 2025 | Submission Open: March 13, 2025, at 9 AM | Application Close: March 20, 2025, at 4 PM
Project Length: 140 days from Project Approval
Activity Details:

Establishment of off-site watering systems for livestock to minimize negative impacts on habitat for wildlife and species at risk.

Eligible costs:

  • Solar, gravity-fed, wind, grid or alternative power:
    • Pumps
    • Storage
    • Power setup from existing power line
    • Waterlines
    • Construction
    • Protective fencing or portable panels
    • Monitoring equipment

Ineligible costs:

  • Repair and maintenance of existing riparian pasture management systems and equipment
  • On-going maintenance costs of existing equipment
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production
  • Installation costs of main electrical service

Note: Approval of projects will be contingent upon adherence to all federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines and regulations for project design and implementation.

Required documents:

Establishment / planting of adaptable, hardy, permanent native and/or non-invasive introduced species of grasses, forbs, trees and shrubs.

Eligible costs:

  • Pre-planting site preparation and plant purchase costs prior to the year of planting if needed
  • Establishment year site preparation including weed control, irrigation (trickle or drip), or temporary fencing
  • Purchase / planting / establishment costs for grasses from certified seed, forbs, trees and shrubs for the year of planting
  • Consultative service for suitable species, composition and maintenance
  • Maintenance one year after the planting year can be included as part of the project proposal but is subject to the availability of funding in following program year.

Required documents:

Ineligible costs:

  • On-going maintenance
  • Costs associated with acquiring / planting invasive plant species
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production
  • Landscape quality or landscaping type plantings
  • Commercial fruit trees, Christmas trees, ornamentals, afforestation, woodlot establishment and reforestation.
  • Purchase and relocation of established trees

Eligible costs:

  • Fencing parallel to water’s edge to exclude livestock in order to maintain or improve riparian conditions and function.
  • Permanent fencing inclusive of all costs including in-kind labour
  • Protection of newly established or enhanced riparian buffers
  • Livestock out of stream water source
  • Costs associated with improving or removing stream/ creek crossings to improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Required documents:

Ineligible costs:

  • Repair and maintenance of existing riparian pasture management systems and equipment (e.g. can’t be used to repair existing fence)
  • On-going maintenance costs
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production

Note: Approval of projects will be contingent upon adherence to all applicable guidelines and regulations for project design and implementation.

Eligible costs:

  • Seeding and planting of native plant material (grasses, legumes, forbs, shrubs, and trees) and on-going maintenance of an established or restored site
  • Seeding and planting of native plants to establish native perennial forage cover to provide wildlife habitat.

Ineligible costs:

  • Tame or agronomic pasture seeding and establishment or renovation costs
  • Pasture renovation
  • Altering native species plant balance
  • Routine forage management practices
  • Costs associated with acquiring / planting invasive plant species
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production
  • Establishing forages as part of the operation’s normal crop rotation

Notes:

  • Native vegetation refers to plant species indigenous to the area.
  • Restoration refers to improving the ecological integrity of disturbed or degraded sites.
  • Establishment refers to an area under different land use and the native species must be planted.

Required documents:

Eligible costs:

  • Cross fencing to implement rotational, seasonal, rest, swath, and extended grazing systems
  • Permanent fencing inclusive of all costs including in-kind labour
  • Portable electric fencing, set-ups, including solar battery chargers, battery and initial line and post purchases
  • Cross fencing
  • Monitoring and management equipment

Required documents:

Ineligible costs:

  • Perimeter fencing
  • Pasture seeding and establishment costs
  • Pasture renovation
  • Repair and maintenance of existing riparian erosion control or riparian pasture management systems and equipment (e.g. can’t be used to repair existing fence)
  • On-going maintenance costs
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production

Note: Approval of projects will be contingent upon adherence to all federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines and regulations for project design and implementation

Emphasis on the four rotational grazing principles:

  • Balance forage supply and livestock demand
  • Distribute grazing pressure across the pasture
  • Provide rest for pasture plants during the growing season to help plants recover
  • Avoid grazing during sensitive times.

Eligible costs:

  • Cross fencing to implement rotational, seasonal, rest, swath, and extended grazing systems
  • Eligible permanent fencing inclusive of all costs including in-kind labour
  • Portable electric fencing, set-ups, including solar battery chargers, battery and initial line and post purchases
  • Cross fencing
  • Monitoring and management equipment

Ineligible costs:

  • Perimeter fencing
  • Pasture seeding and establishment costs
  • Pasture renovation
  • Repair and maintenance of existing riparian erosion control or riparian pasture management systems and equipment (e.g. can’t be used to repair existing fence)
  • On-going maintenance costs
  • Opportunity costs associated with payments for land taken out of production

Note: Approval of projects will be contingent upon adherence to all federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines and regulations for project design and implementation

Required documents:

For structures that demonstrate improved riparian conditions

Eligible costs:

  • new structures
  • improvements and/or repairs to existing structures
  • removal or re-location of existing structures – may include bridges or culverts
  • materials, labour, and equipment rental associated with earthwork, installation of structures, and re-vegetation work in addition to the constructed works

Ineligible costs:

  • On-going maintenance costs
  • Stream crossing projects that are associated with a new or expanded agricultural activity– where no crossing has existed previously
  • Projects that include culverts must meet same requirements as bridges in terms of design and regulations

Note: All projects must be properly designed by an accredited engineering consultant or a qualified professional in accordance with federal, provincial and local government regulations and specifications

Required documents:

For site assessments, materials, labour, equipment rental associated with earthwork, installation of structures, and re- vegetation work in addition to the constructed works.

Eligible costs:

  • Contour Terraces (e.g., earthwork, seedbed preparation, seed)
  • Gully Stabilization/Grassed Waterways (e.g., earthwork, erosion control matting, silt fencing, seedbed preparation, seed, outlet structure)
  • Bank Stabilization (e.g., bank shaping, revetment, gabions, riprap, crib walls, re-vegetation, blanketing and combinations
  • Drop Inlet Structures and In Channel Control (e.g., drop structures)
  • Improved Infiltration of Concentrated Water Flow (e.g., filter trenches, filter wells, diffusing wells, etc.)
  • Retention Ponds and Erosion Control Dams (in riparian areas)
  • Wetland Restoration – earthworks, ditch plugs, equipment rentals. The wetland must be restored to as close as the original size, depth and ecological function as possible. In addition, A one- time payment for the restoration of wetlands will be issued to individuals
  • Surface water diversion on slopes

Ineligible costs:

  • Systematic tile and other subsurface drainage systems that are not an integral part of erosion control structure
  • Activities related to constructing or repairing drainage systems, where the purpose is to remove ponded water or draining saturated soils
  • Converting open channels to closed drainage systems
  • Construction of new drainage channels or repair of existing drainage systems (e.g. drainage ditch clean-outs)
  • Costs of tile and installation that exceeds 30 meters for riparian drop inlet structure projects
  • Installation of drop inlets for drainage of ponded surface water (e.g. not associated with an erosion control structure)
  • Header tile systems
  • Tile outlet structures associated with new tile drainage installations
  • Wetland restoration principally intended to be used for water sources (i.e., dams and dugouts)
  • Retrieving topsoil from areas of deposition and transporting it upslope to eroded hillsides
  • Construction and land improvement activities not associated with soil erosion control
  • Ongoing payments for maintenance of wetlands and/or other infrastructure associated with wetlands
  • Pothole/wetland consolidation or deepening existing functioning wetlands

Note: All projects must be properly designed by an accredited engineering consultant or a qualified professional in accordance with federal, provincial and local government regulations and specifications.

Required documents:

Upstream diversion around outdoor confined livestock areas or downstream protection of stewardship areas, may include catch basins, retention ponds, in field diversion works, or constructed wetlands.

Ineligible costs:

  • Gutters and downspouts for farm buildings

Required documents:

For moving operations away from sensitive surface water, riparian areas, critical wildlife habitat and areas of severe erosion potential. Existing site must be decommissioned.

Eligible costs:

  • Relocation of corrals, paddocks and wintering sites away from riparian areas.
  • Relocation of fences, powerlines, trails or other infrastructure having negative impacts on species at risk.
  • Groundwater protection
    •  Application must provide rationale other than of proximity to sensitive groundwater
  • Construction of impermeable surfaces or roofs if they existed at the decommissioned site.
  • New water supply infrastructure if it was part of the decommissioned site.

Ineligible costs:

  • Construction of impermeable surfaces or roofs that didn’t exist at the decommissioned site.
  • New water supply infrastructure that didn’t exist as part of the decommissioned site.

For alleyway / access lane upgrades to improve distribution of feed and manure away from riparian areas or high-risk ground water areas.

This category is open to applications that address projects or situations identified in an EFP but not represented by any other Riparian and Grazing projects.

Applications will be accepted on a proposal driven basis and will be reviewed by a technical expert and/or staff at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Required documents:

  • Applicable planning, engineering or technical design must accompany application.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must:

  • Have an EFP that is less than 5 years old and reflects the current farm or ranch operation.
    • The EFP must be renewed if it is more than 5 years old, or if there have been changes made to the farm or ranch operation that could have impacted the environmental risk.
    • For the 2025/26 fiscal year, a grace period of up to 6 months is in place for EFPs, if a renewal is unable to be completed for reasons beyond the applicant’s control. Please confirm with IAF if you are eligible for the EFP grace period.
  • The farm or ranch operation must be in British Columbia and have valid “Farm Class” land as designated by the BC Assessment Authority or be a First Nations agricultural operation with designated authority to use the land.
  • The applicant must have a valid business (GST) number.
  • Have completed the prerequisite activities required for activities applied for.
    • Some BMP activities require assessments, plans or engineered design that must completed prior.
    • Prerequisites must be completed and submitted before beginning a project.
    • Concurrent planning/design projects and on-farm equipment/infrastructure projects may be allowed in some cases where projects are not dependent on the final plan or design for the equipment/infrastructure activity or may be waived at the discretion of the Program Manager.

Additional Requirements & Notices

  • Projects activities should not commence prior to approval of the application, retroactive costs are not eligible.
  • For 2025/26 the BMP: Water Infrastructure category has a cap in place of $200,000.
    • NOTE: Beginning in 2025/26, a per-farm maximum funding amount has been established of $100,000. This means that in addition to the category caps listed below, a lifetime cap has been established for the remainder of the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership Initiative (April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027), this cap does not apply to the Water Infrastructure category.
  • Applicants can only apply for each BMP activity (i.e. Practice Code) once per fiscal year. Example: Applicants may not apply to install a new irrigation system (Practice Code 1804) twice in one year.
  • Stacking of funds from other government programs is permitted so long as the funding received from all government sources does not exceed 100% of project costs.

Ineligible Activities and Expenses

Unless specified in a BMP Practice Code, the following costs are ineligible:

  • Fertilizer, seed, and crop protection products
  • Fees for permits, approvals, or legal activities
  • Typical farm equipment and related accessories or attachments (including tractors, skid steers and trailers)
  • Costs of ongoing activities
  • Maintenance or repair costs
  • Financing charges, loan interest payments, bank fees
  • Maintenance or extended warranties on equipment, electronics, or technology purchases
  • New building construction, including sheds, barns, or storages (for products or by-products)
  • Expenses incurred before approval or expenses after the project completion date unless consent is received from the program.

Applying to the Program

Accessing the IAF Client Portal

REMINDER: Do not wait to start this process – it can take up to two business days to validate your organization!

To apply to the program, you must first create an IAF Client Portal account and register your organization by navigating to the IAF Client Portal and selecting “Create an account now.” Once you confirm you are a BC-based business/farm/individual you will then need to complete two sections:

This is the information needed for your account, all starred (*) information should be kept for ease of reference when completing your application

  • Name *
  • Job Title
  • Phone Number
  • Email

This is the information needed for your organization to be validated in the IAF Client Portal, all starred (*) information should be kept for ease of reference when completing your application

  • Legal Organization Name (either Federal or BC) *
  • Operating Name (if different from legal) *
  • Organization Type (select from a dropdown menu) *
  • Organization Address
  • Organization Email
  • Organization Phone
  • Organization Website
  • Organization Registration Date (either Federal or BC) *
  • Head Office Location
  • BC Registration ID (to look up your BC ID click here)
  • CRA Business Number *
  • NAICS Code 4-digit (select from a dropdown menu – click here for guide) *
  • Primary Purpose of Operation (select from a dropdown menu) *
  • Sector Group (select from a dropdown menu) *
  • Region (select from a dropdown menu)
  • Brief Organizational Profile

Items marked with a star (*) will need to be entered into your application, keep them on hand for ease of reference.

IAF Client Portal emails are sent from do-not-reply.grants@fluxx.io, please save this as a contact in your email.

It can take up to two business days to validate your organization. If you haven’t received an email in 3 – 5 business days check your spam folder.

Starting your Application

Applicants are invited to start (i.e. draft, edit & view) their application prior to the submission window opening. Applicants are encouraged to include only activities they are confident will be completed on time and within budget limits.

To find the application navigate to the ‘Funding Opportunities’ tab in the IAF Client Portal and select the appropriate program.

When filling out your application you will complete six sections:

This section is where you will answer relevant organization information questions, the starred (*) information you kept from Organization Registration will answer most questions.

  • Organization Name
  • Primary and Secondary Contact Information
  • Business Type
  • Farm Status
  • Premises ID (if applicable)
  • CRA Business Number
  • Organization Type
  • Sector Group
  • Primary Purpose
  • Organization Registration Date
  • NAICS Code (4 digits)
  • Updated NAICS Code (5 digits)

As this program is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, you are required to provide additional demographic information. The demographic information is collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and must be done before submitting your application. To provide your demographic information:

  • Start drafting your application in the IAF Client Portal.
  • Copy your application ID (it will be provided to you at the Demographic data section of the application, or see the top of your application form). You will need to put this ID into the Ministry’s form.
  • Visit the Ministry’s webpage through the link on the application and complete the form. (Note: this will open a new browser tab).
  • Once the form is complete, copy the Ministry’s confirmation number and enter it in the application form. It should look something like this AB123456

Note: Demographic information will not be used to assess eligibility for the program.

This section will require:

  • Your EFP Workbook Number
  • Your Planning Advisor’s Name
  • Name on EFP Statement of Completion

After, you will be asked for a project summary that will require information such as your farmland breakdown by hectares, a brief overview of the environmental issues this project will address, a description of your project, steps to complete your project, a list of materials and equipment needed, contractors you plan on using, and start & end dates of your project.

Break down your project costs into the applicable project codes. If your proposed project has multiple components that would fit under two or more practice codes please include a budget summary in your project documents that specifies what quoted costs reflect your selected project codes.

This section is where you will review and sign the terms and conditions for applying to an IAF Program which covers and defines the:

  • Binding Agreement
  • Services
  • Start Date and End Date
  • IAF Funding for Services
  • Third-Party Workers
  • Representations of Client
  • Release and Indemnity
  • Miscellaneous
  • Demographic Information Terms
  • Terms and Conditions

The following documents should be submitted with your application.

Mandatory

  • Property Assessment Notice (current year)
  • Legal Lease Agreement/ Proof of Ownership
  • Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Statement of Completion
  • Quotes for the work to be completed

If Applicable

  • Supporting Lease Documentation
  • Proof of water license for proposed use
  • Water license for proposed storage volume
  • Water Management Plan and/or Irrigation system assessment and/or Technical design
  • Assessment/approval/authorization from the Dam Safety Program staff
  • Change approval to make changes in and about a stream
  • Easement
  • Maps/Sketch/Photos

IAF recommends clicking ‘Save’ frequently as you work on your application in case of an unexpected disconnection. Once you are finished editing click ‘Save and Close’ to minimize the editing panel and take you back to looking over your application.

New This Year! Book a Call

Starting on the Application Open date for each category, you can book a 10-minute phone consultation with an IAF staff member to discuss your BMP application.

Prior to booking an appointment, you must start your draft application and provide the ID number (BMP-202425-0####). This gives you and the IAF staff member a specific application to reference and provide support for during the 10-minute phone call.

Applicants are limited to one phone call appointment.

Review and Adjudication

All applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF Staff. This review involves:

  • Ensuring application completeness
  • Organization/Applicant eligibility check
  • Project alignment and eligibility check

Applications will be considered until all available funding is committed. All decisions regarding application status are final. All applicants will receive a funding decision email from IAF.

Need help with IAF’s Client Portal?

We’ve created a number of tutorials and FAQs about the IAF Client Portal to help guide you in creating an account, registering your organization, starting your application, and more!

Want to speak to someone regarding your application?

Email us with your application questions or call us at 250.940.6150 to speak to a coordinator.

Notifications & Obligations

Review and Adjudication

Applications will be accepted on set open and close dates or until funding is fully committed. Upon submission of an application, all BMP applications will be reviewed under the first-come, first-serve model for 2025/26 intakes. Project applications are screened and reviewed by IAF. This review involves:

  • Ensuring application completeness.
  • Organization/Applicant eligibility check.
  • Project alignment and eligibility check.

IAF staff will return incomplete applications to applicants via the IAF Client Portal for resubmission with missing information/clarifications requested.

Funding Notifications & Contracts

IAF will contact the applicant with the details of a funding decision and any associated terms and conditions by email via the IAF Client Portal.

Funding decisions for complete applications will be communicated to applicants within 8 weeks of a complete application submission. If funding is fully committed, applications may be placed on a waitlist pending additional funding become available.

Funding is application and project specific. It must be used for the approved project and related expenses, and it is non-transferable.

Reporting Requirements

Successful applicants must complete a final report prior to receiving funds from the program. This report must be filled out and submitted via the IAF Client Portal with all invoices to be considered for funding reimbursement. It is important that the final report is submitted on time and with all required information. Expenses will be reimbursed based on the submitted receipts, the approved project budget and the corresponding cost-share ratio. All reporting will be completed via the IAF Client Portal.

Funding Acknowledgements

This program is funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. As such, acknowledgement of funding is required when publicly communicating about a project and/or funding. To ensure appropriate acknowledgement, all communications and marketing materials, including public announcements or social media posts, must be pre-approved by the IAF Communications Team. Materials can be submitted via the IAF Client Portal.

Changes to Contracted Projects

If you are not able to complete your project or require a change, please inform the IAF Team as soon as possible using the IAF Client Portal.

Apply to the BMP Riparian & Grazing category

Application Open: February 20, 2025 | Submission Open: March 13, 2025, at 9 AM | Application Close: March 20, 2025, at 4 PM

Subscribe to the newsletter to stay up to date on program news!

Resources

Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide

Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Guide.

Riparian & Grazing Appendix

Download the Beneficial Management Practices Program Riparian & Grazing Management Appendix.

Need a Contractor?

IAF has assembled a list of verified contractors that are able to help execute your plan/design.

Land Owner Statement

Download the Land Owner Statement for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s Water Licenses and Approvals Guide

Visit the Ministry’s website for their water license and approval guide.

Funding Acknowledgement Requirements

Download the Funding Acknowledgement Requirements for the Beneficial Management Practices Program.

Have an Active Project?

Please visit the program’s Project Resource Hub for more information.

Have a Question?

Contact the IAF Team

Please note: the Government of BC may, from time to time, give instructions to IAF in relation to the delivery and administration of this program. IAF must and will comply with those instructions.

Funding for these programs have been provided by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. Additional funding has been provided by CleanBC. The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF).