Riparian & Grazing BMPs

For example: 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 items:

·    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.

·    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

Ineligible Items:

·    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

Note: 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.

·    Fencing parallel to water’s edge to exclude livestock in order to maintain or improve riparian conditions and function. Eligible permanent fencing inclusive of all costs including in-kind labour

·    Protection of newly established or enhanced riparian buffers (Practice Code 1002)

·    Livestock out of stream water source

·    Costs associated with improving or removing stream/ creek crossings to improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Ineligible Items:

·    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

·        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 Items:

·    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

Note:

·    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

Engineering or technical design may be required for project design (1102)

·    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: Eligibility for funding must be based on required plan(s) that identifies the importance and value of cross fencing in dealing with identified environmental risks and achieving environmental benefits

·    Monitoring and management equipment

Ineligible Items:

·    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

·        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; and

·        Avoid grazing during sensitive times.

To cover a portion of the costs for:

·        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: Eligibility for funding must be based on required plan(s) that identifies the importance and value of cross fencing in dealing with identified environmental risks and achieving environmental benefits

·        Monitoring and management equipment

Ineligible Items:

·        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

·    new structures

·    improvements and/or repairs to existing structures

·    removal or re-location of existing structures

·    structures may include bridges or culverts

Eligible expenses include materials, labour, and equipment rental associated with earthwork, installation of structures, and re-vegetation work in addition to the constructed works.

Ineligible items:

·    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

Eligible expenses will include site assessment, materials, labour, equipment rental associated with earthwork, installation of structures, and re-vegetation work in addition to the constructed works.

·    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 intent of funding wetland restoration will not be directed at projects that are principally intended to be used for water sources (i.e.; dams and dugouts). 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 items:

·    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, are not eligible for funding

·    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

·    Retrieving topsoil from areas of deposition and transporting it upslope to eroded hillsides

·    Construction and land improvement activities not associated with soil erosion control

·    There will be no provision for ongoing payments for maintenance of wetlands and/or other infrastructure associated with wetlands

·    Funding in this category will not extend to cover 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

·    Projects may include catch basins, retention ponds, in field diversion works, or constructed wetlands

·    Ineligible items: Gutters and downspouts for farm buildings are not eligible for funding. These are standard building components that are the responsibility of producers

·    Relocation of fences, powerlines, trails or other infrastructure having negative impacts on species at risk.

Notes: Funding is to be used to move operations away from sensitive surface water, riparian areas, critical wildlife habitat and areas of severe erosion potential

·    Groundwater protection: Proximity to sensitive groundwater is not a rationale for use of this BMP

·    Existing site must be decommissioned

Ineligible items:

·    Construction of impermeable surfaces or roofs are ineligible unless they existed at the decommissioned site. New water supply infrastructure is ineligible unless it was part of the decommissioned site.