CORNWALL - Financial assistance under the Healthy Waterways Program is still available to local farm operators. The program is expected to conclude at the end of this year and project applications must be submitted for consideration prior to the deadline of Dec. 31.

Now in its second successful year of delivery, the original one-year program is funded by OMAF and administered locally by the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA). Farm operators in the Raisin Region watershed are eligible for this program as well as operators in the Rigaud River sub-watershed area of the Municipality of East-Hawkesbury. Unfortunately due to an overwhelming response from the agricultural community, non-agricultural applications are currently placed on a waiting list and will be reviewed by the Project Selection Committee at a later date. Funding is set at a 50 per cent grant rate and ranges from $350 for plugging an abandoned well up to $4,000 for upgrading a defective septic system. Other eligible projects include clean water diversions, wellhead upgrades, nutrient management and erosion control projects.

For more information regarding the Healthy Waterways Program, contact Chris Critoph or Normand Genier at the RRCA at 613-938-3611.