A Farmland Water Management and Drainage Collaborative Strategy to Reduce Phosphorus Loss in the Thames River Basin

Transcription

1 A Farmland Water Management and Drainage Collaborative Strategy to Reduce Phosphorus Loss in the Thames River Basin A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium Nottawasaga Inn, Alliston, Ontario November 17, 2016

2 Dreary Lake Erie Increase in Bioavailable phosphorus Expansion of intensive agriculture, increase in dissolved reactive phosphorus Climate Change increased frequency and severity of storms, snow melts increased temperatures longer growing seasons Aquatic invasive species changes to water clarity and nutrient flows caused by Zebra and Quagga mussels

3 Harmful Algal Blooms Threat to Drinking Water Toledo August 2014 Water system serving 400,000 closed for 3 days due to microcystin detected in source water. Pelee Island residents also warned not to drink water or eat fish.

4 When is phosphorus lost? Greatest determinant of algal blooms is rainfall. Most phosphorus is lost from farmland in big storms/snowmelts during non growing season.

5 Canada s commitments 40% reduction in total phosphorus from 2008 levels in Western Basin and Central Basin of Lake Erie to achieve 6000 MT Central Basin load 212 MTA TP Canada 3316 MTA U.S. 40% reduction from 2008 levels in spring total and soluble reactive phosphorus loads from watersheds where localized algae is a problem: Thames River Canada Maumee River U.S. River Raisin U.S. Portage River U.S. Toussaint Creek U.S. Leamington Tributaries Canada Sandusky River U.S. Huron River, OH U.S.

6 Strategy Overview How did this come about? A partnership between OFA and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Intensive consultation process in Spring 2016 involving OABA, OSCIA, Farm and Foodcare, Christian Farmers, Pork Producers, municipalities of Chatham Kent and London, Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, Drainage Superintendants Association of Ontario. Drainage Engineers Committee, Lower Thames CA, Freshwater Futures, Chippewas of the Thames, OMAFRA, academics from University of Guelph, Waterloo, among others. Detailed recommendations from 4 subcommittees on i) best practices, ii) agricultural outreach, iii) science and iv) working with regulatory agencies. Strategy adopted by OFA and GLSLCI boards respectively, in June 2016.

7 The A.R.T of Phosphorus Conservation Application + Retention + Transportation

8 Strategy Overview What? A collaborative amongst a cross section of agricultural organisations, conservation organisations, drainage organisations, municipalities, First Nations and ENGOs to raise awareness and provide an extension service aimed at reducing the surface and subsurface transportation of phosphorus off agricultural land either directly into waterways, or via municipal drainage systems.

9 Strategy Overview What? Extension work will be aimed at two scales: 1) at the farm level, projects to slow down and/or store water on farmland; and 2) at the communal drainage system level, to remove phosphorus in drainage system. Monitor progress, report publicly on results Establish funding program to offer incentives to undertake improvements Recognition program for participants

10 Strategy Overview Who? Collaborative Board of Directors &Coordinating Committee Project Manager Drainage Stewardship Coordinator (Upper Thames) Drainage Stewardship Coordinator (Lower Thames) Farmers, landowners, municipalities, CAs, CCAs, drainage engineers, superintendants, contractors

11 Strategy Overview Where? Three watersheds identified 1. McGregor Creek (Lower Thames) 2. Jeanettes Creek (Lower Thames) 3. Medway (Upper Thames) Chosen as preferred sites to begin the strategy based on data available showing elevated levels of phosphorus, and opportunity to use existing monitoring instrumentation to establish a baseline. Further refinement of areas within these three watersheds, in consultation with federal and provincial authorities, conservation authorities, drainage superintendants who operate in the watersheds, and the county OFA offices. Explore areas on Sydenham River

12 Strategy Overview First Year Activities $200K Growing Forward2 grant and $100K in matching funding from participants to finance 1 st year of activities. First Year activities focused on Governance Capacity Building Science and Innovation Communications and Outreach

13 Strategy Timing June 2016 Approval of strategy by OFA, Cities Initiative boards Summer 2016 Fundraising Fall 2016 Begin prep work January 2017 Create board, hire staff Fall 2017 Begin implement ation Fall 2019 Conduct Review of Strategy, amend approach as required Fall 2021 Complete strategy, ensure continuity through existing organisations & municipalities

14 Collaborative Approach Farmers, landowners: Early engagement in chose watersheds to groundtruth approach, begin gauging interest in participation in strategy. Agriculture and agribusiness sector: OABA, Fertilizer Institute, 4Rs, Growing Ontario Together. Drainage sector: DSAO, LICO, Drainage engineers Municipalities: Raise awareness of councils, seek cooperation in engaging farmers, esp. Chatham Kent, London. First Nations: Seek traditional knowledge and monitoring data from First Nations in chosen watersheds; document drainage outlet discharge onto Chippewas of Thames territory, assist with determining source, alert authorities to address impact. Conservation Authorities: Engage Upper Thames CA, Lower Thames Valley CA, learn from their outreach efforts, programs, monitoring, Thames River Clear Water Revival. ENGOs: Freshwater Alliance, Freshwater Future

15 Working with Regulatory Agencies On communal drain, season for drainage maintenance or improvements may be impacted by Endangered Species Act Fisheries Act Conservation Authorities Act Species At Risk Act Once project is identified, bring representatives from DAWG and DART (MNRF, DFO, CAs) together with local drainage superintendant, drainage stewardship coordinator to discuss project early in process.

16 BMPs Gather current best knowledge of BMPs (literature review) for reducing phosphorus loss, including the effectiveness of BMPs in mitigating impact of major storm events and snow melt on phosphorus loss. Hold a BMP Workshop with Conservation Authorities, drainage superintendants, drainage engineers and licensed contractors to assemble shared knowledge and experiences. Develop website, with portal interactive community, to house Information on BMPs.

17 Innovation Need for P removal technology that is a) cheaper and b) smaller than conventional treatment systems c) works in cold conditions. Holland Marsh treatment of vegetable growers wash using new technologies has proven successful. Steel slag acts as adsorbent for the removal of phosphorus from waste water. Need reliable data on effectiveness of various technologies in different conditions, within drainage ditch, at outlet, in stream. Everglades Foundation and MOECC collaboration on $10 M George Barley Prize for innovation P removal technologies.

18 Monitoring, Measuring Progress Monitoring protocol required for consistency. In stream monitoring to be conducted above and below the areas where improvements are undertaken and in a control watershed. Use of existing instrumentation where possible, supplemented by additional instrumentation as required.

19 For more information Contact Nicola Crawhall, Cities Initiative, at Or Tina Schankula, OFA, at