"My interest in the environment is the driving force in how I manage my land," says Bill Dobson. His 125 acres in Montague Township in the southern end of Lanark County is typical of the lay of the land, with shallow soil over bedrock and relatively flat topography. Rosedale Creek runs along the edge of Dobson's property and outlets to the Rideau River.

A few years ago Dobson became involved in a recovery program for the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike. Shrike prefer areas of short grassland with scattered thorn trees on shallow soil over limestone bedrock. These tend to be marginal agricultural lands that still have potential as pasture for livestock. Keeping cattle on these lands helps maintain short grassland for shrike.

So Dobson entered the cattle business and now, with a 45 head cow-calf operation, produces beef for the organic market. Before pasturing his cattle, he fenced not only the perimeter of his property, but also the floodplain along the creek, retiring about 15 acres.

Dobson's resourcefulness also shows in his choice of fencing material. He has reclaimed existing rail fencing on his property, and, from 3 acres of his cedar bush hit by the ice storm of 1998, salvaged 1400 pickets and 2000 rails to build the 2100 feet of required fencing. In keeping with his preference for things historical, he's built traditional patent rail fences.

"Helping the shrike, pasturing cattle, revitalizing the creek„Ÿit's all inter-related," explains Dobson. "We should have been stricter over the years protecting our streams. The amount of land you have to give up is smaller than you think. The benefits in protecting the stream and increasing wildlife habitat and diversity far outweigh any costs."

Dobson is one of the participants in the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority's (RVCA) Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP). Since 2002 the program has offered financial incentives to farmers and rural landowners for projects that improve surface and groundwater water quality in the Upper Rideau watershed outside the City of Ottawa.

Several partners have joined ranks with RVCA to provide financial support. The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative (AESI), funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and administered through the Agricultural Adaptation Council and the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition, has contributed to this initiative. The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is reporting on the project on behalf of AAC.

Like Dobson, Ben Schapelhouman also feels strongly about the environmental aspect of his operation. Close to Smiths Falls, Ben and his family have a 200 cow-calf operation on 270 acres near the mouth of Otter Creek where it empties into the Rideau River. "We wanted to keep our cattle out of the creek and also out of the drainage ditches draining our land," notes Ben. "It was work we were going to do anyway, but the grants were welcome money and helped cover about half the total cost."

He's installed about 3500 ft of 5-strand high tensile electric fencing. This includes 300 ft fronting Otter Creek, providing a 200 ft buffer to the creek and retiring about 3 acres of marginal agricultural land. Ben has retained a small boat launch site on the creek giving his family the added benefit of recreational use.

Ben rotationally grazes his cattle, moving them to new pasture every three to five days. To water the cattle, Ben buried about a mile of 2-inch plastic line a foot deep, running a line from the well to hydrants in each of his pastures. He has an attachment on his ATV for moving the stock tank from one pasture to the next with the cattle.

"Protecting the creeks and waterways is all common sense," Ben believes. "It keeps our water cleaner, it avoids complaints, and it's cheaper to do it right the first time." Repairing shorelines and cleaning out drainage ditches are more costly in the long run.

As of December 31, 2003, RVCA's Rural Clean Water Program has approved funding for 85 projects, 72 of which are completed. Eligible projects receiving AESI funding include surface water treatment, wastewater run-off management, livestock restriction from water, buffers and windbreaks, erosion control, chemical / fuel storage handling, and septic system repair. Grants cover 50-75% of costs up to $5000 for Best Management Practices.

Dwight Bennett is a dairy farmer near Kemptville with 220 milking cows. He and his sons farm about 700 acres of land along the Rideau River. They have also participated in the RCWP by improving their fuel storage facility. To prevent a fuel spill and ensure protection of groundwater, they replaced their tanks with double-walled storage tanks on a cement pad, surrounded by bollards for added protection.

Bennett is also one of three farmers on RVCA's Board of Directors. "Commercial agriculture is as concerned as everyone else with protecting our water," Bennett notes. "Monetary incentives are essential in helping and encouraging people to make the needed improvements. This will be even more important as requirements of the Nutrient Management Act become clearer."

As a Board member Bennett is seeing first-hand all the agencies that interface in making water management decisions. He recognizes a need for "one-stop shopping" to ease the application process for undertaking projects near water.

Martha Bradburn, RVCA's Program Coordinator agrees. "Municipal, provincial, Conservation Authority and federal agencies, as in the case of the Rideau Canal, all have jurisdiction when it comes to work near water. Improving our water quality is a huge issue, and it takes more than one group to accomplish such an important goal. Each project is a little step, but they all add up."

The Upper Rideau River and its watershed is home to boaters, cottagers, rural residences, and farms of all scales„Ÿfrom full-time large scale farming to back-to-the-land hobby and specialty farms. Common to all their needs is water, both groundwater and surface water. Whether for recreation, household needs or producing an agricultural crop, keeping that water clean is basic to that need.

"Incentive funding is still available for projects until the end of this year," advises Bradburn. For further information, contact the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority at 613-692-3571 or www.rideauvalley.on.ca

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For more information contact Andrew Graham, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association; Tel: 519-826-4214 or e-mail: oscia@ontariosoilcrop.org 

OR

Nadine Buitenhuis, Agricultural Adaptation Council, Guelph; Tel: 519-822-7554 or e-mail: Nadine's e-mail