Stormwater Assessment, Planning and Implementation of the Cobden Agriculture Area

Stormwater Assessment, Planning and Implementation of the Cobden Agriculture Area 

Project Description

The Township of Whitewater Region with the support of the Muskrat Watershed County is undertaking a Stormwater Assessment, Planning and Implementation of the Cobden Agriculture Area.

The Goals and Objectives of the project are to:

1. assess and evaluate the existing stormwater management for Cobden’s agricultural area and local provincially significant wetlands
2. establish and implement mitigation measures, and
3. develop an action plan and public education.

The project will focus on encouraging and developing partnerships between the agricultural sector and regional organizations in the establishment of sustainable implementation tools for improving water quality of Muskrat Lake and the Cobden and Snake River Provincially Significant Wetlands.

Project Timing

Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approved the award of RFP 2020-22 for the Stormwater Assessment, Planning and Implementation of the Cobden Agriculture Area to Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd., in partnership with Jp2g Consultants Inc., on February 3, 2020.

The Background Review was presented and received by Council on July 8, 2021.  A copy of the Background Review is available here

Notices and Reports

August 11, 2021 - Newsletter #1 - Sent to External and Internal Agencies, Agricultural Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Colleges and Universities 

November 24, 2021 - Newsletter #2 - Sent to the agencies above and affected property owners (Refer to Map in Newsletter #2)

Background Review and Planning Phase 

Final Report

Funding

The Township and Muskrat Watershed Council jointly submitted a funding application to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership for the Places to Grow: Agri-Food Innovation Initiative funding for sectors in January 2020.  The application was supported by Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture, Renfrew County Soil and Crop Improvement Association and National Farmers Union (Renfrew County).  In the fall of 2020, The Province of Ontario announced that the Township was successful in our funding application and would receive 50% funding of eligible costs, up to the amount of $35,000.00. 

The cost for the preparation of the Stormwater Assessment, Planning and Implementation of the Cobden Agriculture Area was $71,069.18 inclusive of non-refundable H.S.T.  Muskrat Watershed Council has contributed $500.00 to the project.

Public Involvement

The Township, with the support of Hutchinson Environmental and Jp2g Consultants will be hosting a Virtual Open House on December 8, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.  The Virtual Open House is open to the public and invitations have been sent to stakeholders and affected property owners on November 24, 2021.

You can join the virtual open house on December 8, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86906368984 or by contacting Clerk Carmen Miller at 613-646-2282 Ext. 123 or at cmiller@whitewaterregion.ca

Contact

Ivan Burton

Planner/ Economic Development Officer

Manager of Community Development

Township of Whitewater Region
P.O. Box 40, 44 Main Street Cobden, ON K0J 1K0
Phone: 613-646-2282 ext. 124
Email: iburton@whitewaterregion.ca