Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses
Overview
Who: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food
What: Watercourse stewardship on agricultural lands
Where: Province of British Columbia
Why: To support farmers
How: By identifying opportunities and challenges
Engagement Summary
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food (AF) created the Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses (SAW) project to identify challenges and opportunities, build on the successes of current programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) programs, and take next steps toward watercourse stewardship on agricultural lands. These next steps are outlined in the discussion paper (PDF, 11MB). The SAW is separate from the Watershed Security Strategy.
The first goal of the SAW project was to better understand how farmers and ranchers are managing watercourses. This phase focused on public engagement, information gathering, and planning. Participants shared concerns and ideas for change through an online survey, one on one interviews, and focus group sessions.
Results
The feedback on the discussion paper informed the SAW Action Plan. The Action Plan provides strategic direction for the ministry to act on the recommendations proposed by the public and agricultural parties. It provides strategies to address barriers facing farmers and ranchers who wish to steward watercourses on their properties.
Read the Public Engagement Summary (PDF, 2MB)
Read the SAW Action Plan (PDF, 2MB)
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