The Ontario Soil Conservation &
Environmental Protection Assistance Program
(OSCEPAP)

1983-1988

[NOTE: The following information is extracted verbatim from the brochure "The Ontario Soil Conservation & Environmental Protection Assistance Program", produced by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. This website is intended to document the existence and structure of this program only; grants are no longer available under this program.]

 

Purpose

To provide assistance to producers in controlling soil erosion, sustaining crop productivity and protecting water resources.

Terms and Funding of Program

This $25.5 million program will run for five years - from April 1, 1983 to March 31, 1988 or until the funds are committed. In the first fiscal year, $3.5 million will be available to fund projects; in each of the following years, funds available will total $5.5 million. Funding in each year will be on a first-come, first-paid basis.

When projected expenditures on approved projects reach the program budget for that year, no further grants will be available for that year. Such applications will be carried over to the following program year.

During the final year of the program, no approvals will be given once the total budget has been committed.

Any applicant who proceeds with the work before approval has no assurance that financial support will be provided.

Applicants may be required to have appropriate audits of any aspect of their project under the program.

Who May Apply

Producers who meet any one of these four requirements provided the value of production from the farm operation in a normal production year is at least $12,000 (sales from farm production including animals kept on the farm for at least 60 days plus any change in livestock or crop inventory):

1. A farmer whose principal residence is in Ontario and who owns the land on which the improvement is made.

2. A farmer whose principal residence is in Ontario and who leases the farm to another farmer. The lessee must satisfy the income requirement from the leased land. The owner must make the application.

3. A farmer who leases the land from the Government of Ontario and who satisfies the income requirement. The ARDA Farm Enlargement Program would qualify in this category. The lessee must make the application. The length of the lease must be 5 years or more.

4. A partnership or corporation; the maximum grant is the same as for an individual farmer.

The Program Consists of two parts:

1. Erosion Control

2. Manure Storage

In addition, producers can obtain advice on soil management, soil erosion and manure storage from crop specialists, agricultural engineers and other staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

A. Erosion Control

1. Eligible Items

   Category I - Project must be designed and construction must be supervised by an engineer.

   • chute spillways
   • drop inlet spillways
   • gulley erosion control
   • gabion basket structures and rip-rap lining
   • grassed waterways
   • construction of terraces, contours and diversions
   • low-level ditch and stream crossings
   • grade control structures

   Category II - Professional assistance is recommended, but not mandatory.

   • windbreaks
   • catch basins
   • tile outlet protection
   • fencing of ditches and water courses
   • alternate livestock watering devices near water courses (to avoid erosion and pollution)
   • seeding and sodding ditchbanks
   • ditch buffer strips

   Consideration will also be given to any other plans, devices and land reshaping designed to minimize soil erosion.

2. Eligible Costs

   • engineering fees for design and supervision of construction
   • supervision of construction
   • labor
   • permits
   • purchase of materials

   Note: Use of owner's own machinery or labor are not eligible expenditures.

3. Amount of Assistance

   The province will pay, in the form of a grant, 50% of the eligible cost of work on the approved soil erosion project up to a maximum of $7,500 per farm operation.

B. MANURE STORAGE

How to Obtain a Grant

1. Eligible Items

   1. Liquid and semi-solid manure storage tanks constructed of concrete, metal, pressure-treated lumber or earth. Earthen structures must meet the local municipal requirements and incorporate acceptable loading and unloading facilities, and erosion control. All open storages must have a safety fence or equivalent protection. All structures must have a 200-day storage capacity.

   2. Dry or solid manure concrete pads incorporating some method for controlling liquid runoff.

   3. Storage covers to exclude rain and snow and/or reduce storage odors.

   4. Transfer piping.

   Note: Manure handling equipment is not eligible.
    

2. Eligible Costs

   • engineering fees for design and supervision of construction
   • permits
   • labor
   • purchase price of eligible devices and materials
      

3. Amount of Assistance

   The province will pay in the form of a grant, one-third of the eligible cost of work on the approved manure storage project up to a maximum of $5,000 per farm operation.

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Created: 04-10-1996
Last Updated: Thursday, May 19, 2011 11:47:49 AM