Stewardship Network of Ontario Forum Innovations In Agricultural Drainage June 12, 2012 Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
What is Agricultural Drainage?: • Majority of soils in agricultural parts of the province are poorly drained or have a confining layer • Significantly limits crop growth • This would be similar to a flower pot without holes in the bottom to drain the gravitational water • Two components: – Private cropland drainage systems – Communal drainage system improvements
AGRICULTURAL DRAINAGE WHAT IS IT? • Series of pipes installed beneath the Subsurface Drainage land surface • Minimum depth is 600mm (2 ft) • Typical depth is 750mm (2.5 ft) • Spacing varies depending on crop, soil, drainage need and economics
CONTROLLED DRAINAGE
Controlled Drainage: • Reduces outflow from the tile drainage system • Reduces movement of nitrogen and soluble phosphorus
BIOFILTERS
Biofilters: • Craig Merkley, UTVCA • Removal of nitrates - 50% + • Doesn’t have to interfere with agricultural operations
COMMUNAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS The Drainage Act
• Attributes of the Drainage Act: • Means of solving drainage problems through the implementation of a “ drainage works ” • Design is developed through a public process administered by local municipality • Professionally designed • Costs are shared among property owners • Legal existence • Right of use of private land • Municipality is responsible for management
Drainage Act defines “ drainage works ” as: a drain constructed by any means, including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain, reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof
“ ! a drain constructed by any means ! ” The Historical Use of the Drainage Act
“ ! a drain constructed by any means ! ” Natural Channel Design
“ ! a drain constructed by any means ! ” Fish Habitat Considerations
Drainage Act defines “ drainage works ” as: a drain constructed by any means, including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain, reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof
“ ! including the improving of a natural watercourse ! ” The Issues: ! Obstructions on natural watercourses - Flooding ! Complaints to CA and/or the municipality ! Who’s responsible? ! Who pays for the work? ! Right of entry onto land? ! Liability Solution: • Drainage system under the Drainage Act • Authority to manage obstructions/debris • No need to channelize
Drainage Act defines “ drainage works ” as: a drain constructed by any means, including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain, reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof
“ ! and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands ! ” Wetland Drain Restoration Projects Cooperative effort between: • Municipality • MNR • Stewardship Council • Landowners • Conservation Authority • Other Partners
“ ! and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands ! ” Results: • Restored or enhanced wetlands • Water retained on the landscape • May result in farm improvements
Drainage Act defines “ drainage works ” as: a drain constructed by any means, including the improving of a natural watercourse, and includes works necessary to regulate the water table or water level within or on any lands or to regulate the level of the waters of a drain, reservoir, lake or pond, and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof
“ ! and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof ! ” THE ISSUE: URBAN DEVELOPMENT • Development in neighbouring city; runoff increased • Ongoing serious erosion/bank slumping • Ongoing sediment movement downstream • Channel 5X larger than original WHAT ARE THE LANDOWNER’S OPTIONS? • Legal recourse? Who is responsible/liable? • Will the local CA assist in resolving? • Solution will be expensive – how to share costs? • If solution is implemented, who’s responsible to ensure that it continues to function properly?
“ ! and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof ! ”
“ ! and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof ! ” • Property owner petitioned under Drainage Act • Project still in development • Project is located in County of Brant, but all the urban development is in the City of Brantford • Working with the GRCA • Working with Parrish Geomorphology for a natural channel design approach • Ability to cost-share • Municipality responsible for future maintenance
“ ! and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof ! ” Buffers along drainage systems are useful for a variety of reasons The Issue: ! Private landowners have purchased land; may not want to voluntarily donate land for buffer ! Buffer agreements – ! Enforcement of agreements? ! Agreement termination? ! Who manages the buffer?
“ ! and includes a dam, embankment, wall, protective works or any combination thereof ! ” Solution: ! Incorporate buffers as part of a project under the Drainage Act: ! Landowners are compensated ! Buffer has legal existence through a municipal by-law ! Municipality has authority to enter land to manage ! Municipality has authority to enforce ! No end date
So, H , How Do Do W We De Develo lop Inno Innovative Us Uses O Of T The he Dr Draina nage A Act? • Open yo n your mi mind nd t to p possibili lities • Id Ident ntify p y possible le i issues w whe here i inno nnovation i n is ne needed • Id Ident ntify p y partne ners t to w work w k with yo h you; d ; develo lop a a p proje ject t team; c m; cond nduct a a scoping ng e exercise • De Develo lop t the he c commo mmon g n goal l • Who ho s sho hould ld p pay f y for i it? – – b be s symp ympathe hetic t to p property o y owne ners – – L Look f k for o othe her s sources o of f fund nding ng
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