McGregor and Jeannettes Creek Phosphorus Reduction Program

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) is pleased to announce the launch of the McGregor and Jeannettes Creek Phosphorus Reduction Program. The voluntary program will be available to farmers in the McGregor and Jeannettes Creek subwatersheds from 2019-2021. The purpose of the project is to improve soil health and reduce the amount of agriculturally sourced phosphorus entering the Thames River, Lake St. Clair and ultimately the Western Basin of Lake Erie.

Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) incentives and technical support will be available to farmers to implement a targeted suite of BMPs within each subwatershed. Reductions achieved through the implementation of BMPs will be quantified through subwatershed monitoring and modeling activities to assist Ontario and Canada with meeting the Thames River 40% reduction target for total and soluble reactive phosphorus loads entering Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. The goal of the target is to reduce the severity and development of green and blue algae blooms in the Lake Erie Basin.

Financial support for this program was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) Organization and Collaborations Program is providing funds for program applied research activities.

BMP Incentive Program:

Funding will be available for farmers to implement the following BMPs until the project budget has been utilized:

• Cover Crops
• Alternative Phosphorus Application Practices
• 4R Nutrient Management Services
• Erosion Control Structures
• Marginal & Sensitive Land Restoration
• Farmer Innovative Solutions

Select the image of the program brochure to find out more information about the BMP incentives, eligible BMP projects, application and claim process. 

Program Eligibility Area:

To be eligible to participate in the program and receive funding the farm where you intend to implement a BMP must be located in the McGregor or Jeannettes Creek subwatershed of the Thames River.

Other Pertinent Eligibility and Program Information:

• You do not need an Environment Farm Plan to be eligible for the program.

• Tenant Farmers are eligible for funding to implement BMPs on rented land.

• Applications for BMPs must be submitted prior to implementation.

• You must be willing to share farmer land activity data with the LTVCA to participate in the program.

• BMP Cost-share and incentive funding is earmarked for your project upon the reception of an approval email or letter from the LTVCA. Cost-shares will not be distributed until the practice has been implemented and the LTVCA has received the required claim form/information.

For Information Please Contact:

Colin Little
Agricultural Program Coordinator
Phone: 519-354-7310 Ext. 231  
Colin.Little@ltvca.ca

Ryan Carlow
Soil and Water Quality Technician
Phone: 519-354-7310 Ext. 228  
Ryan.Carlow@ltvca.ca

Regional Phosphorus Loading Resources and Reports:

• Canada and Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan
• Preliminary Results Report: Comparison of Phosphorus Leaching in Tile Drainage Between Two Cropping Systems in a Clay Soil
• Thames River Phosphorus Reduction Collaborative
• Water Quality Assessment in the Thames River Watershed (2015 Lake St. Clair Conference presentation)
• Map of the Thames River Watershed