About the EPP Program
The goal of the Enhancement and Protection Program is to encourage the enhancement, protection, and maintenance of ecologically important land within the East Interlake watershed.
The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s program: "GRowing Outcomes in our Watersheds (GROW)"
The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s program: "GRowing Outcomes in our Watersheds (GROW)"
Types of Eligible Projects
Have a project idea that isn’t listed above? We would love to hear from you!
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE WELCOME
ALL APPLICATIONS ARE WELCOME
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Applicants must:
- Fill out an Expression of Interest: General or Regenerative Agriculture Stream.
- Own/lease land within the East Interlake Watershed District.
- Have, or be willing to attain, a valid Statement of Completion (SOC) for an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) through Ag Action (Project funding only; not mandatory for Conservation Contracts)
- Attend an on-farm regenerative agriculture workshop hosted by the EIWD in partnership with local producers (Regenerative Agriculture Stream only).
General Stream
Enhance, protect, and/or maintain natural/ized areas
Program Objectives
To encourage the enhancement, protection, and maintenance of natural or naturalized areas and to retain the positive values of bush, grassland, wetland, stream habitat, or water storage areas. The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Program.
To encourage the enhancement, protection, and maintenance of natural or naturalized areas and to retain the positive values of bush, grassland, wetland, stream habitat, or water storage areas. The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Program.
Regenerative Agriculture Stream
Enhance and/or restore soils in agricultural fields
Program Objectives
To encourage the enhancement and restoration of soils in agricultural fields through regenerative agricultural practices. Proposed practice(s) should focus on some/all of the following objectives: increase ecological function, increase wildlife/pollinator habitat, increase carbon sequestration, improve soil health, increase water storage capacity, reduce flooding, increase biodiversity, and reduce soil erosion. The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Program.
The conversion of grassland/pasture/forest that provide significant ecological goods and services into annual agricultural land is not an eligible project. Alternatively, please consider a Conservation Contract (annual incentive payment).
To encourage the enhancement and restoration of soils in agricultural fields through regenerative agricultural practices. Proposed practice(s) should focus on some/all of the following objectives: increase ecological function, increase wildlife/pollinator habitat, increase carbon sequestration, improve soil health, increase water storage capacity, reduce flooding, increase biodiversity, and reduce soil erosion. The EIWD will cooperate with willing landowners, partners, and the Watershed Sub-District/GROW committee to select the most suitable sites that achieve the greatest overall watershed benefits. This program is directly associated with the Province of Manitoba’s Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Program.
The conversion of grassland/pasture/forest that provide significant ecological goods and services into annual agricultural land is not an eligible project. Alternatively, please consider a Conservation Contract (annual incentive payment).
Funding Details
We have two main types of funding available Project Funding and Conservation Contracts
Project Funding
Conservation Contracts
Project Funding
- There are a variety of projects that may be eligible for funding (see below for examples)
- Projects will fall into two main categories: landowner-driven and EIWD-driven.
- Landowner-driven projects means that landowners will be responsible for almost all aspects of the project from developing a plan, to creating a budget, to hiring contractors. EIWD will assist as much as possible/necessary. The approved funding percentage will be distributed as a rebate.
- EIWD-driven projects means that the EIWD is responsible for all aspects of project development and implementation. These are generally water storage/back flooding projects. These projects are usually 100% funded by the EIWD. A rebate is NOT provided as the EIWD handles all costs throughout project development.
Conservation Contracts
- There are two types of Conservation Contracts: Annual Incentive Payments and Perpetual Conservation Agreements
- Conservation Contracts - Annual Incentive Payments
- If you have an area that provides ecological goods and services to the larger watershed, you may be eligible to receive annual payments.
- Different habitats that may be eligible include:
- Class 1-2 wetlands
- Native forests
- Native prairie
- Annual payments are determined by multiple factors including land use, property value, soil class, etc.
- Payment would be distributed at a fixed amount (# of acres x $ value) annually for 10 years. The contract may be reviewed and renewed upon expiration.
- Producers can still farm/hay protected Class 1-2 wetlands, but they may not drain it.
- Landowners can still use the area and any specific management or use concerns can be written into the contract (ex. harvesting trees for personal use, cutting ski trails, etc).
- Conservation Agreements- Perpetual Conservation Easements
- If you have an area that you would like to protect from future development, you may be eligible for a perpetual conservation contract.
- EIWD would partner with a third party (such as NCC or MHHC) to determine the conservation value of the proposed parcel of land.
- Once a Perpetual Conservation Agreement has been developed a tax receipt for the agreed upon conservation value will be issued and the protection will be on the land title.
- Conservation Contracts - Annual Incentive Payments
How our Process Works
- Fill out and submit the relevant “Expression of Interest” (EOI) form. Your EOI can be as detailed or as simple as needed.
- Work with EIWD staff to further develop ideas, design (if needed), budget, and funding request (%).
- EIWD staff will create a bid, and your project will be presented to the GROW Committee in a Conservation Auction.
- Wait to receive official approval, declination, or suggested amendments from the GROW Committee.
NOTE: The extent of funding depends on numerous factors including the type of project, the overall ecological goods and services the project will provide to the larger watershed, the location, and funding available, to name a few. - If approved, sign and submit the Funding Agreement, and commence project.
- Submit Claim Form and all supporting documents to receive funding as a rebate.
NOTE: Our process may vary from project to project depending on if project is "landowner-driven" or "EIWD-driven".
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Class 1-2 wetland?
Low prairie/wet meadows that hold water from April to as late as mid-June (2-6 weeks). Class 1-2 wetlands can be identified in a field based on the presence of weedy species including green foxtail, bindweed, kochia, quack grass, mustards, barnyard grass, Canada thistle, dock, and smartweed.
Why can’t I receive annual incentive payments for Class 3-5 wetlands?
Class 3-5 wetlands are ineligible for annual incentive payments because they are protected under The Water Rights Act.
Can I apply for more than one project?
Certainly! Include all of your enhancement ideas in your EOI.
Do I need to have a budget planned out to apply?
No. Fill out an EOI with as much information as you can. If you have a budget, great, if not, we are more than happy to help you get started! A budget will be needed for the EIWD staff to present your project bid to the GROW Committee in the Conservation Auction.
I have an idea that wasn't listed as an eligible project, can I still apply?
Definitely! We are open to all project ideas.
I want to enhance my property, but don't know what type of project(s) would work on my property. Can I still apply?
Definitely! We are happy to arrange a site visit to provide you with some ideas and options for enhancement projects.
What is the difference between the two streams?
The only difference between the two streams are the questions that are asked on the EOI. The Regenerative Agriculture Stream is more geared towards producers looking to improve their soil, whereas the General Stream has fewer, broader questions to allow flexibility with potential project ideas.
How do I know which stream to apply for?
We have two streams so that the EOIs address specific questions related to the potential project. For example, the Regenerative Agriculture Stream has multiple questions that are geared to producers, while the general EOI is less detailed. Whichever EOI you fill out will not "lock" you into a stream. If you are unsure, give us a call and we can help you out.
Low prairie/wet meadows that hold water from April to as late as mid-June (2-6 weeks). Class 1-2 wetlands can be identified in a field based on the presence of weedy species including green foxtail, bindweed, kochia, quack grass, mustards, barnyard grass, Canada thistle, dock, and smartweed.
Why can’t I receive annual incentive payments for Class 3-5 wetlands?
Class 3-5 wetlands are ineligible for annual incentive payments because they are protected under The Water Rights Act.
Can I apply for more than one project?
Certainly! Include all of your enhancement ideas in your EOI.
Do I need to have a budget planned out to apply?
No. Fill out an EOI with as much information as you can. If you have a budget, great, if not, we are more than happy to help you get started! A budget will be needed for the EIWD staff to present your project bid to the GROW Committee in the Conservation Auction.
I have an idea that wasn't listed as an eligible project, can I still apply?
Definitely! We are open to all project ideas.
I want to enhance my property, but don't know what type of project(s) would work on my property. Can I still apply?
Definitely! We are happy to arrange a site visit to provide you with some ideas and options for enhancement projects.
What is the difference between the two streams?
The only difference between the two streams are the questions that are asked on the EOI. The Regenerative Agriculture Stream is more geared towards producers looking to improve their soil, whereas the General Stream has fewer, broader questions to allow flexibility with potential project ideas.
How do I know which stream to apply for?
We have two streams so that the EOIs address specific questions related to the potential project. For example, the Regenerative Agriculture Stream has multiple questions that are geared to producers, while the general EOI is less detailed. Whichever EOI you fill out will not "lock" you into a stream. If you are unsure, give us a call and we can help you out.
Additional Forms and Resources
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