Project Guidelines and Application

Livestock Access Restriction to Watercourses

This project category was designed to improve surface water quality by restricting livestock access to watercourses and wetlands.聽

Rates

  • 70% of eligible project costs
  • Maximum Payment: $5,000

Funding can be stacked with other programs up to 100%, if allowed. Applicants must inform UTRCA of additional funding.

Project Details

To be eligible for cost-share funding, projects must be completed and invoices must be dated between April 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026. The maximum cost share will not exceed $5/foot installed or $4/foot for materials.

Fencing

  • Temporary fencing will be considered eligible but will require a signed agreement requiring the applicant to install the fence prior to livestock being introduced to the pasture every year and to maintain the fence while livestock are present in the pasture
  • Fencing must be at least 10 feet (3.4 m) from the top of the bank of any watercourse unless access for drain maintenance is required
  • Only fencing along a ditch/watercourse or wetland will be considered for funding

Alternative Water Systems

Watering systems are eligible for funding only where livestock are restricted from the watercourse or wetland.

Projects in and along waterways and ditches may need approval by municipalities, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or the Conservation Authority prior to implementation. Any work done on municipal drains also requires prior approval from the municipality. The applicant is responsible for acquiring all necessary approvals.

Requirements

Field(s) must be in the Upper Thames watershed

Eligible Projects

  • Fencing along watercourses and wetlands
  • Alternative watering devices

Eligible Costs

  • Engineering fees
  • Labour (other than applicant or applicant鈥檚 dependent family)
  • Permanent and temporary fencing
  • Alternative water devices such as nose pumps, spring boxes, wind and solar powered pumping units (other systems may be considered)

Ineligible Costs

  • New operations or a change in management are not eligible
  • Primary hydro lines
  • Permits
  • Cost of drilling new wells
  • Labour and machinery use of the applicant, family dependents and the applicant鈥檚 business
  • Invoices not issued in the applications name or farm business
  • Grant will not be paid on HST if the applicant is entitled to a HST rebate

Application and Review Process

Step 1

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Step 3

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Step 5

Step 6

Submit your application

UTRCA will review, and follow up with their decision

Complete your project

UTRCA will review and perform a final inspection

Submit an expense claim with proof of payment (e-transfer, bank statement, etc)

Payment will be issued

Contact

Chris Van Esbroeck, Agricultural Stewardship Specialist

[email protected]

519-451-2800 ext. 272