HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-PAG-036 Soil Conservation COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
COUNTY
OF
POLICY NO: 2021-PAG-036
NEWELV
TITLE: SOIL CONSERVATION
ADOPTED: December 9, 2021 (C-348/21) SUPERCEDES NO: n/a
TO BE
REVIEWED: PAGE NO: 1 of 2
POLICY PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for Soil Conservation work to be
completed by the Agricultural Services Department.
POLICY GUIDELINES:
Summer/Fall Inspections:
Inspections shall be carried out annually.
Inspections shall note where high risk areas exist.
If an inspection is needed to be conducted in the field, landowners will be notified
prior to entry into the fields.
Proper sanitation methods will be used to prevent disease spread from one field to
another.
Landowners in susceptible areas will be contacted to determine what actions are
being taken to reduce the risk of soil erosion.
Records will be kept in an ARCGIS database and referenced as needed.
If no plan is in place, the Director of Agricultural Services or their designate will
work with the landowner.
Soil Erosion control methods deemed reasonable at time of harvest are:
1 - Planting a cover crop that will establish and grow after harvest
2 - Fall bedding potato fields
3 - Pinning Stubble or straw
4 - Adding a minimum of 20 tons/acre of manure after harvest
5 - leaving soil surface rough
6 - leaving stubble standing
7 - ensure at minimum 30% residue cover
COUNTY OF NEWELL - POLICY HANDBOOK
COUNTY
OF
POLICY NO: 2021-PAG-036
NE W e%-%
TITLE: SOIL CONSERVATION
ADOPTED: December 9, 2021 (C-348/21) SUPERCEDES NO: n/a
TO BE
REVIEWED: PAGE NO: 2 of 2
Erosion investigations/Complaints:
If soil erosion is reported or noted between October 1 and April 15 of any year, the
following actions will be taken:
The Director of Agricultural Services (or their designate) will investigate and
substantiate the report.
Investigations will be visual in nature - Inspections will be from field boundaries
If an inspection is needed to be conducted in the field, landowners will be notified
prior to entry into the fields.
Proper sanitation methods will be used to prevent disease spread from one field to
another.
If signs of soil erosion are found to be present, the landowner will be contacted and
together they will make a plan to correct the erosion concern.
Actions that will be considered acceptable to limit the erosion during this period:
1. Spread and crimp or pin stubble or straw. Starting with eroding areas first
2. Use tillage tools to bring up large soil lumps
3. Erect wind/snow fence throughout the field
4. Stacking bales to create a wind fence
5. Attain NRCB permission to spread manure on frozen soil and spread at
minimum 15 tons/acre on eroding area
If no action is initiated and complete within 7 days from the time of meeting with
the landowner, the Director of Agricultural Services will issue a Notice under Section
4 of the Soil Conservation Act outlining the steps that shall be taken.
If no action is initiated by the deadline set in the Soil Conservation Notice, the
Director of Agricultural Services will complete the work and invoice the landowner
as per the Soil Conservation Act.
Any damages to County of Newell controlled infrastructure will be subject to the
terms and conditions of the Unauthorized Road Use Development Bylaw (2012-21)
and its updates
Contractors:
Agricultural Services will compile and maintain a list of contractors and suppliers for
all soil erosion mitigation strategies.