“One of the key things we’re working on is you can’t do
everything by drainage. You’ve got to do more by water
storage. Water storage helps with the drainage problem,
but it will also help with the nutrient-run off problem.”
– Garry Wasylowski, Manitoba Association of Watersheds
It’s forced a tremendous amount of change, particularly in
Westman. Lake of the Prairies, Upper Assiniboine, and Little
Saskatchewan River conservation districts had to be com-bined
into one new Assiniboine West Watershed District. It’s
17,000 square kilometres and the largest in Manitoba.
Canart says the amalgamation provides little material
benefit. “You can point at a map and say our (district) is based
on a watershed boundary, but other than that, nothing’s really
changed,” he said.
Some duplication will be eliminated, but it will cost more
in the end because of the added complexity and communica-tion
between the three former districts, says Canart.
However, Wasylowski says it made more sense to have
boundaries based on watersheds.
“Water does not recognize man-made boundaries,”
he said.
The change also allows districts to work with First Nations
and Crown lands. Wasylowski said, “I don’t think this changes
WATERSHED DISTRICTS
our focus. If we do the conservation right, we’re cleaning up
the water.”
Canart highlights how a recent project might be handled
today on the Upper Assiniboine watershed.
“We try to do a minimum 50-50 cost-share with produc-ers,
and I met a guy who wants to fence off a 35-acre wetland
complex, but it’s a steep price to pay,” Canart said.
It would cost $8,000 to $10,000, he estimates. The land
would be fenced off, but cattle would still be allowed inside for
a short stint to stimulate the grass. “They have to stimulate
that ecosystem so it stays active,” he said.
“We’ll come in and pay half, and for protecting the wet-land
we can pay you so many dollars per acre on 35 acres. It
allows the producer to improve their pasture and, over five to
six years, it will be completely paid for, and they can reap the
benefits for a generation.” FV
Advance Payments
Program
Programme de
paiements anticipés
SOON TO BE
MANITOBA
CROP ALLIANCE
LAUNCHING AUGUST 1ST
Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Summer 2020 § 33
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