Volunteer landowners key in Huron County Clean Water Project success

Landowners in Huron County are demonstrating leadership in rural water quality improvement. By accessing the Huron County Clean Water Project grant and extension support from the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, Huron County residents are making a difference.

The County of Huron oversees the program, which provides grants to landowners for projects that protect local watersheds and improve water quality. Since its startup in 2004, the county has contributed $1.75 million towards the initiative and in 2013 another $400 000 has been approved by Huron County Council. And they’re reporting a great return on that investment. For every dollar the county has invested, an additional $3.50 has been spent on completed projects thanks to contributions from landowners and other national, provincial and local funding sources.

When those contributions from landowners and other funders are tallied, that’s resulted in more than 1,500 completed projects with a total value of more than $5.8 million.

Highlights of the results so far include:

• Fencing cattle out of almost 40 km of streams
• Planting more than 150 hectares of trees• Establishing almost 90 km of windbreaks
• Upgrading 289 private wells
• Decommissioning 360 unused wells.Other completed projects include upgrading or decommissioning manure storage on farms, creating wetlands, diverting water from manure and livestock exercise yards, controlling erosion, implementing stewardship guides, managing storm water runoff, and retiring fragile land from agricultural use.

Huron County residents are eligible for grants of up to 50 per cent for the cost of approved voluntary projects.

The Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley conservation authorities deliver the Huron County Clean Water Project on behalf of the County of Huron and even help eligible applicants complete their paperwork.

Applications are reviewed by a local committee made up of landowners, farmers, business people and county councilors. For more information on the Huron County Clean Water Project, visit www.mvca.on.ca or www.abca.on.ca or call 519-335-3557, 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.