Riparian Funding

Mountain View County has funding available for riparian area fencing, off-site watering systems and creek crossings. There is also funding available from the Alberta Conservation Association to go towards permanent riparian projects and wetland reconstruction.

Alberta Conservation Association(ACA): Voluntary Projects:

• Permanent riparian fencing
• Wetland reconstruction
• Program runs when funds are available. Watch the Mountain View Gazette, Mountain Views and the County website for funding availability

Mountain View County: Voluntary projects:

• Permanent riparian fencing
• Off-site watering systems
• Creek crossings
• Program runs when funds are available. Watch the Mountain View Gazette, Mountain Views and the County website for funding availability

Restricted Covenants, Environmental Reserve Easements:

• Permanent riparian fencing
• Up to $1000.00 to support mandatory projects like Environmental Reserve Easements as well as a condition of subdivisions
• Available year round as budget permits

There is also up to $1,000 in funding available for residents to purchase native seed or trees to plant around their riparian areas.

Click for Procedure and click for Riparian Funding 2012 Applications

Funding Process:

The County's Sustainable Agricultural Specialist will come to each applicant's property to do a pre-project environmental health assessment and to gather pictures of the project area. All projects will be rated on the significance of their environmental impact by agricultural staff. A presentation of all the project applications will be put together and reviewed by the Agricultural Service Board at the May Ag. Service Board Meeting; the ASB will decide on the funding allocation. Applicants will be contacted and a contract will be made up between Mountain View County and the landowner.

Benefits of protecting your riparian area are:

• Improved water quality
• Clean drinking water
• Safer Water
• Increased biodiversity of plants and animals
• Increased amount of healthy native vegetation and a reduced amount of invasive and disturbance species
• Reduced erosion
• Riparian areas trap sediment
• Store nutrients and contaminants
• Healthy livestock
• More wildlife and fish habitat

For more information contact Amber Hines, Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, at 403-335-3311 ext 163 or email Amber.Hines@mountainviewcounty.com.