Download Agricultural Watershed Enhancement_General Program Information

Agricultural Watershed Enhancement
Group Proposal Terms & Conditions
Producer Terms & Conditions
Funding List
Who can participate?
This program has a two part process:
The Group Proposal - The Proposal is created and submitted by a legally incorporated
agricultural group (watershed group, agricultural research association, etc.) or form of
municipal government. It is designed to identify the environmental issue the group
wishes to address, and how the proposed projects will be implemented and monitored
over the program.
The Landowner Applications - The Applications outline each Producer’s project and how
it will address the environmental issue previously stated in the group proposal.
Producers applying as part of a group under AWE do not require an Environmental Farm
Plan to be eligible (although it is still encouraged). Landowner applications cannot be
submitted until the associated Group Proposal has been reviewed and approved.
Definitions:
Group/Legal Entity – Any agriculture group registered under the Societies Act, such as an
applied research/forage association, incorporated watershed groups, incorporated not-for-profit
organizations and a local municipal government that is interested in increasing the uptake of
wetland restoration and riparian health beneficial management practices and realize
measureable changes within high risk watershed areas, focused on addressing flood, drought
and water quality issues.
Producer - Any individual producer wishing to take part in this program MUST obtain input and
support from a Group/Legal Entity. A group proposal is a precondition for Landowner
applications located in the Enhancement Area specified in the Group Proposal. If you are not a
part of a group project proposal, you can still apply individually under the On-Farm Stewardship
Program. To locate a legal entity in your area contact your local municipality or watershed to
find out about possible proposals in your area.
Purpose:
This program facilitates the delivery of targeted, comprehensive extension programs, increased
uptake of wetland restoration and riparian health beneficial management practices (BMPs), with
the objective of realizing significant and measureable changes within high risk watershed areas,
focused on addressing water quality issues. This program will encourage watershed groups,
municipalities, and/or industry organizations to develop implementation plans targeting the
adoption of BMPs related to surface water quality by producers in high risk areas.
Collaboration with Alberta Environment and Parks: Watershed Resiliency and
Restoration Program (WRRP)
Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) is implementing the Watershed Resiliency and
Restoration Program (WRRP) directed at increasing the natural capacity of the province’s
watersheds to reduce the intensity, magnitude, duration and effects from flooding and droughts
for the benefit of Albertans and their communities.
While the WRRP has a different focus (drought and flood resiliency) versus the AWEP (water
quality), it was recognized that collaborating and working together to support both programs
ensures a more robust watershed approach that supports work at all scales of the watersheds.
AEP and AF have developed a joint one-window application and review process for 2016. All
applications will be considered under both programs and the two departments will be
collaborating on the review and administration of grants to projects.
For details about this new application process, see the document: AWEP/WRRP Joint
Programs Approach.
***Please note: Any individual producer wishing to take part in this program MUST obtain input
and support from a Legal Entity (see definition above) before a Proposal and associated Project
application can be submitted.
Eligible Activities:
Eligible/resulting activities may include: fencing for riparian pasture management, alternative
watering systems, winter watering systems, wintering site or manure storage facility relocation,
buffer and grassed waterway establishment, wetland and riparian restoration, run-on and run-off
controls and cultural weed control systems in riparian areas.
If you are a Group/Legal Entity applying….
Group Terms & Conditions
WRRP/AWE Joint Programs Approach: 2016 Grant Application Overview
AWE/WRRP Joint Application Form
Applicant Checklist
Budget Template
Process Document
Performance Monitoring Cows & Fish factsheet
If you are an interested producer….
Producer Terms & Conditions
Eligible Projects
Riparian Planting Cows & Fish factsheet
For maps of Watershed Planning & Advisory Council, Watershed Groups and local
municipalities see the links sections.
You may also be interested in …
Confined Feeding Operation (CFO) Stewardship
Irrigation Efficiency
On-Farm Energy Management
On-Farm Stewardship
On-Farm Water Management
Regional Water Supply