FRWIP - On-Farm Component Program Guidelines

Transcription

1 FRWIP - On-Farm Component Program Guidelines The purpose of the On Farm Component Program is to: Develop sustainable non potable water supplies for agricultural use to meet the needs of agricultural producers in Saskatchewan. o Agricultural use means water use for crop spraying, livestock watering or greenhouse production. Water resources developed solely for household use or washing machinery DO NOT qualify for funding. Program Grant Limitations In the event that a project receives funding from other government programs, the grant will top up cost sharing to the extent that the total combined grants from all government sources does not exceed 50 per cent of eligible expenses or 90 per cent in the case of expenditures related to well decommissioning. Eligible applicants can apply for more than one project with the maximum rebate an applicant can receive for all approved projects over the five year term of the program being $60,000 with the exception of costs related to well decommissioning. Standards and Requirements You are responsible to meet the requirements of the program and all other regulatory requirements. Regulatory requirements that you should be aware of include: All projects must meet requirements for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Groundwater and/or Surface Water Approvals; Work in or near water will likely trigger The Environmental Management and Protection Act. You are responsible for obtaining and complying with an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit (AHPP) from the WSA prior to starting the project. AHPPs cannot be issued retroactively; Comply with requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; Legislation requires that all water well drilling machines operating in the province must be registered annually with the Water Security Agency. Driller's reports must be submitted by the drilling company for all drilled or bored wells to Saskatchewan Water Security Agency. The original E logs for small diameter wells must also be filed with the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency;

2 Wells or projects that will be using large quantities of water require a licence to operate from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency. (e.g. dugouts larger than 5000m3 and wells for Hutterian Brethren Colonies); Pipelines that cross road allowances require approval from the rural municipality; and Any other standards or approvals as required by law. Eligibility Farmers, ranchers and First Nations bands, in the province of Saskatchewan, are eligible. Eligibility criteria: Be a Saskatchewan resident or file income tax respecting farm income in Saskatchewan; Earn a minimum of $35,000 of gross farm income in Saskatchewan; Own or control a minimum of 320 acres of farmland in Saskatchewan; o Projects must be located on land owned or controlled by the applicant. If project is located on leased or rented land, written permission by the land owner is required and copies of the lease or rental agreement may be requested. Undertake an eligible project (see list below) to develop a secure water supply or decommission a well; Projects must have been commenced after August 1, 2012 and be completed and claim submitted by the earlier of 18 months after receiving written approval of the project, or February 15, 2018; and Projects must be located on land owned or controlled by the applicant. If project is located on leased or rented land, written permission by the land owner is required. Eligible Projects Small diameter and large diameter on farm wells; o Crop spraying projects will be evaluated on a case by case basis and must be for substantial agriculture use and have adequate water storage to be eligible. Shallow buried pasture pipelines; Deep buried pipelines; Deep buried pipelines that connect to an established municipal water source; Dugouts and dugout expansions (minimum one third size increase); Relocation of existing livestock water systems for environmental purposes; o This includes preventing livestock from directly accessing a water source (e.g. creek, dugout, spring, etc.) or developing a remote watering system (e.g. solar watering system) for livestock to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion and protect shorelines and riparian areas are examples of eligible activities. Protecting existing wells; and Decommissioning wells

3 Eligible Costs Wells, pipelines, livestock water relocation, dugouts and connection to rural water utilities. Groundwater exploration (maximum three test holes for small diameter wells and six test holes for large diameter wells prior to seeking assistance from recognized technical experts); Well drilling and construction; Screening and casing for wells; Electric pumps and electrical wire to operate pump; Trenching for deep buried pipelines and electrical wire for well pump; Shallow buried pipelines and installation; Deep buried pipelines and installation; Installation of power service to remote livestock watering sites to a maximum of $15,000. Eligibility will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Power service required for new farm yards or new livestock wintering sites will not be eligible; Subscription or hook up fees to a multi user pipeline to a maximum rebate of $15,000. Eligibility will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Applications for connections to potable water pipelines must include evidence of substantial agriculture use and that alternative water sources are not viable or feasible for agricultural use; Permanently installed water storage tanks (minimum 1,000 U.S. gallons/3,700 litres) associated with a well, or pipeline project, to a maximum rebate of $2,500; Solar, wind and nose powered pumps; Solar powered "all in one" livestock watering systems maximum of one system per project to maximum rebate of $5,000. Limit of four livestock watering systems per applicant; Dugout excavation; Permanent fencing, to exclude livestock from a water source, to a maximum rebate of $750 per project; Watering appliance (e.g. Watering bowl, hydrant or water trough with minimum capacity of 100 gallons/450 litres) and pad. Maximum of one per project, to a maximum rebate of $1,000. Well head protection Costs associated with protecting existing well heads to a maximum rebate of $6,000 including: o Landscaping to build up the area around the well head to prevent contamination; o Purchase and installation of above ground casing extensions and lockable vented well caps.

4 Well decommissioning Costs related to well decommissioning including sealing and capping water wells; Large Diameter Wells Work must be performed by a professional with expertise in well decommissioning and comply with Water Security Agency recommended practices; o Bored Well Decommissioning Pre Approval Worksheet MUST be completed and attached to FRWIP application. A post construction WSA Well Decommissioning worksheet must be completed and submitted with your FRWIP claim. Small Diameter Wells To be eligible for funding small diameter wells MUST be decommissioned by a registered well driller with expertise in well decommissioning and comply with Water Security Agency recommended practices. A well decommissioning pre approval worksheet is NOT required; Maximum rebate $10,000 per project and does not count against program cap. Ineligible Items Power installation (with the exception of power service installed to remote livestock watering sites), power hook ups, generators, electrical panels, breakers, electrical connectors and other electrical devices or hardware; Non permanent fencing or structures to exclude livestock from water sources (e.g. portable corral panels, bale feeders, etc.); Dual purpose water storage tanks, water meters, water storage tanks under 1000 U.S. gallons and non permanently mounted/connected water storage tanks; Small diameter wells greater than 100 feet deep with a casing size smaller than 4.5 inches inside diameter or five inches outside diameter; Seismic testing/water witching; Above ground pipelines; Dams; Gas/diesel powered water pumps; Landscaping/hauling dugout spoil piles; Replacement of existing water infrastructure such as; water appliances, storage tanks or water troughs; Water quality enhancement systems (e.g. Aeration systems, filtration systems, chlorinators, reverse osmosis, etc.); Electrical wiring for water bowls and watering appliances; Materials and construction costs for pump houses; Hauling or pumping water to fill or empty dugouts; Taxes, financing fees, interest or legal fees; Land parcel irrigation systems including any pump, pipe, drain, trench, ditch, sprinkler, or power source dedicated to irrigating a land parcel; Purchase of land/property or payment of easements;

5 Used or leased items and infrastructure; o To be eligible new items and infrastructure MUST be purchase from a recognized dealer. Used inventory items or items where previous use cannot be determined (e.g. Water troughs, water storage tanks, solar systems, solar panels, etc.); In kind freight and in kind payment (e.g. trading) for 3 rd party services/supplies; In kind materials such as rocks, gravel or clay. Payment Levels FRWIP will provide a cost sharing grant to cover up to one half of approved eligible costs with the exception of costs related to well decommissioning which will receive a grant for up to 90 per cent of eligible expenses. The maximum grant for all eligible projects approved under FRWIP is $60,000 per applicant, not including grants received for costs related to well decommissioning. Approved projects may be eligible for an interim payment prior to the project being completed. Minimum interim rebate claim amount is $15,000. How to Apply Projects must be completed and a claim form submitted the earlier of 18 months from the date receiving written approval of the project, or February 15, Paid receipts and proof of payment for all invoices over $2,500 must be submitted with the claim form. Proof of payment includes processed cheque and bank/credit card statement. Application forms can be found under the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program page on saskatchewan.ca