WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — At the meeting of the Council of the Township of Whitewater Region on Wednesday last week, the Environmental Services Committee recommended Council to direct staff to apply for the Places to Grow grant, as a co-applicant, to assess and evaluate the existing stormwater management impacts on Muskrat Lake, the Cobden Wetland Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW) and Snake River PSW.
This specific grant opportunity was recommended by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) at a meeting organized by the Muskrat Lake Association. The grant must be submitted by two co-applicants; however, according to Robert Tremblay, Chief Administrative Officer, the lake association is ineligible. “Based on communication by the Township and Muskrat Watershed Council with OMAFRA, it is believed they are eligible … the grant would cover 50 per cent of eligible costs.”
Mr. Tremblay stated the soil health and water quality assessment and planning category encourages agricultural sector leadership and regional partnerships in developing sector-level or regional plans, or larger systems analysis for improving soil health or water quality. Guidelines specifically outline projects which support improvements in water quality undertaken in a geographical area. The area specified must have demonstrated nutrient related water quality impairments. Staff and the Watershed Council are suggesting a focus on stormwater impacts, which were previously highlighted as an area for improvement. The assessment would focus on the following three components:
- Assess and evaluate the existing stormwater management impacts on Muskrat Lake, Cobden Wetland PSW, and Snake River PSW;
- Establish and implement mitigation measures (best management practices) to address issues and impacts while considering natural, social and economic elements; and outline the planning and design process for the implementation of stormwater management improvements to the study area; and
- Measure and assess the Cobden Wetland and Snake River PSW’s biological, social, hydrological and environmental values and functions to stormwater management and nutrient water quality improvements.
“We are taking advantage of the funding opportunity that was raised and working with the [Muskrat] Watershed Council who are an organized charity, and are organized, and can apply,” said Mr. Tremblay. The Township has set aside $30 thousand in its 2020 budget for a Cobden and Muskrat stormwater review.
The grant would allow the Township and its partner to leverage matching funding for a more fulsome review. To date, on the initiative of the MWSC, letters of support have been received from the Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture, National Farmers Union of Renfrew County and the Renfrew County Soil and Crop Improvement Association.
Moved by Mayor Mike Moore and seconded by Councillor Daryl McLaughlin, Council voted to carry the motion. The committee will go ahead and assist the MWSC in submitting the grant application, which has a deadline of January 27.
