With assistance from the following program partners and supporters, the Peel Rural Water Quality Program (PRWQP) was created in 2005:
- Region of Peel
- Great Lakes Sustainability Fund
- Peel Federation of Agriculture
- Peel Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Contact
For more information or to discuss your project and arrange a site visit, please contact:
rcwp@trca.ca | 437-224-4347
VIEW RURAL CLEAN WATER RESOURCES
New Opportunity for Farmers in the Region of Peel
The Peel Rural Water Quality Program invites farmers to participate in a new three-year pilot project with ALUS Canada. Read the news release.
The ALUS Peel Pilot provides participating farmers in the Region of Peel with annual payments of $150/acre for the management and maintenance of stewardship projects like native tree and shrub planting, grassland, wetland and stream restoration, livestock fencing, and erosion control.
Contact a TRCA agricultural stewardship coordinator to learn how to participate, or visit aluspeel.ca.
Project Types Funded
The following grants are available to farmers who implement projects to construct new structures, upgrade or repair existing structures (under certain circumstances), and/or enhance land resources as part of their PRWQP project proposal application.
A single property may be eligible for grants under each category.
| Eligible Project | Grant Rate | Grant Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Barnyard Runoff Control & Clean Water Diversion | 50% | $12,000 |
| Cover Crops | $100/acre up to 50 acres1 $40/acre for additional acres up to 300 acres1 |
|
| Crop Nutrient Plan | 70%2 | $3,0002 |
| Education | 100% | $1,5003 |
| Erosion Control Structures | 70% | $10,000 |
| Forest Plantation Management | ||
| · Forest Management | 30% | $500 |
| · Inventory, silvicultural prescription, marking, and prescription implementation | 50% | $6,000 |
| Fuel & Chemical Storage | 50% | $3,500 |
| Integrated Pest Management | 50% | $5,000 |
| Irrigation Management | 50% | $10,000 |
| Livestock Fencing from Environmentally Sensitive Features | 80%4 | $20,000 |
| Manure Storage & Handling Systems and Composting Facilities | 50%4 | $30,0004 |
| Milkhouse Washwater Disposal | 50% | $10,000 |
| Natural Area Enhancement & Creation | 100% | $20,000 |
| Nutrient Management Plan | 70%2 | $3,0002 |
| Nutrient Management Strategy | 70%2 | $2,0002 |
| Private Well Abandonment | Offered through the Region of Peel | |
| Private Well Upgrade | 50% | $3,000 |
| Silage Storage Enhancement & Relocation | 50% | $18,000 |
| Tree Planting | 100% | $10,000 |
- Limited to a maximum of 50 ac/year/farm business and 300 ac/farm business over the life of the program.
- Rate and cap listed in table refer to first application. Reduced rate and cap will be applied to subsequent applications. See Project Specific Information and Guidelines for details.
- Limited to once per year/organization.
- 100% grant rate will apply on materials only if installed by landowner.
Program Eligibility
1) A grant to implement all or parts of a PRWQP project proposal application may be paid to an individual applicant* who:
- Is a resident of Ontario
- Is a registered owner** of the property that:
- Has a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN); or
- Has a copy of a FBRN Religious Exemption letter obtained from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Appeal Tribunal; and/or
- Files business and/or farm income/loss taxes in Ontario.
2) Completes a current edition Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP).
3) The project must be located in the Region of Peel and protects, restores and/or enhances surface or ground water quality, air or soil quality and/or fish and wildlife habitat in the Region of Peel.
4) Projects must meet all legal requirements
5) Innovative technologies and projects that do not fall within current project categories may be considered on a project by project basis. For more information on what may or may not be considered an eligible innovative technology or project please contact Program staff.
The map below illustrates the Peel Rural Water Quality Program’s area of eligibility for landowner participation in Peel Region. The program is administered by TRCA (shown in orange) and Credit Valley Conservation (shown in yellow). Landowners should contact their respective Conservation Authority for assistance.
How to Apply
1) Contact Program staff to verify that your proposed project meets PRWQP guidelines and to arrange a site visit at your project location prior to project implementation.
2) Obtain a PRWQP project proposal application from Program staff.
3) Complete all sections of your PRWQP project proposal application, sign the project application form and submit the application and supporting documentation to Program staff. Program staff are available to assist you in this process.
4) Using the information on your PRWQP project proposal application and information gathered on the site visit, Program staff will develop an anonymous* project summary which is then circulated to the Region of Peel staff for review of the projects technical components, conformity to the PRWQP guidelines and its potential to achieve program goals. From this review, Regional staff provide project recommendations to the Approvals Committee.
5) The Approvals Committee will evaluate the project based on its conformity to the PRWQP guidelines and on its potential to protect and improve environmental quality. The Approvals Committee has the option to approve, deny or defer and/or place conditions on funding. The Approvals Committee meets on a quarterly basis or as required.
6) Once the PRWQP project proposal application has been reviewed and approved by the Approvals Committee, you will be notified by Program staff to proceed with the project.