Deadline: 5-Feb-21
The Government of Canada is pleased to announce Funding for Lake Winnipeg Basin Projects to improve the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg and its basin. Lake Winnipeg is experiencing large and frequent algal blooms due to high nutrient levels from multiple transboundary sources, including agriculture, industry, municipal wastewater and surface runoff.
In order to address freshwater issues in the basin, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP) will take action to reduce excessive nutrients – such as phosphorus – from entering the lake, will enhance collaboration throughout the basin and support the engagement of Indigenous Peoples on freshwater issues.
Funding Priorities
The LWBP has committed $8 million in application-based funding to continue its support for targeted, outcome-focused actions that address at least one of the three program priorities:
- Nutrient reduction: support targeted stakeholder delivered projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in key geographic areas, that demonstrate an effective means to reduce phosphorus loading and increase public knowledge and engagement.
- Collaborative governance: encourage and strengthen collaborative efforts to reduce nutrients throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
- Indigenous engagement: enhance opportunities, capacity and the engagement of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities on Lake Winnipeg Basin nutrient issues.
Eligible projects
An application-based process will be applied to fund targeted outcome-focused projects, implemented by domestic entities within the Canadian portion of the Lake Winnipeg Basin, addressing at least one of the following three program priorities:
- Nutrient reduction: The LWBP will provide financial support for targeted, stakeholder delivered projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin that demonstrate an effective means in reducing phosphorus loading and increasing public knowledge and engagement. They may provide funding to support the following types of projects:
- implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs), known to reduce phosphorus loading in targeted geographic areas, as well as monitoring and collecting data to evaluate their effectiveness.
- implementation and evaluation of phosphorus recovery technologies in urban and/or rural settings.
- development of innovative tools, technologies, techniques and demonstration projects to reduce phosphorus.
- community-based monitoring programs to supplement existing water quality monitoring data.
- identifying and applying Traditional Knowledge to address water quality issues within the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
- scientific research to identify improved nutrient management practices and/or the effectiveness of BMPs in sub-watersheds.
- training, outreach and/or education to support the implementation of nutrient reducing actions.
- While project submissions will be considered for funding for activities located anywhere within the Canadian portion of the Lake Winnipeg Basin, priority will be given to projects:
- located within a priority watershed or a Lake Winnipeg sub-basin known to be a significant source of nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg (such as Red River Basin, Winnipeg River Basin).
- targeted at nutrient hot spots that have been identified through watershed plans or other planning tools (such as decision support tools or scientific modelling).
- implemented in areas directly contributing runoff to surface water bodies; and/or
- that implement the following nutrient and surface water reduction BMPs such as:
- water retention structures (such as ponds, edge of field).
- wetland restoration.
- management of vegetated buffers.
- intercepting and treating runoff from livestock confinement areas.
- relocating livestock confinement areas away from surface water bodies.
- Collaborative governance: The LWBP will provide financial support for projects that enhance collaborative efforts and increase capacity building to protect freshwater quality throughout the Lake Winnipeg Basin. They may provide funding for projects that:
- develop tools, approaches and activities that strengthen collaboration.
- facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts among multiple organizations to support the development and implementation of strategies and activities that advance nutrient reducing actions in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
- increase capacity to engage effectively in water quality management activities, assess results and progress, as well as undertake activities related to networking, sharing of information and outreach.
- support or enable multi-stakeholder processes that develop or implement consultative decision making, adaptive management frameworks, or similar, related to sustainable development of priority ecosystems.
- Indigenous engagement: The LWBP will provide financial support for projects that increase Indigenous participation in decision making processes and actions regarding nutrient reduction activities to restore and protect Lake Winnipeg. They may provide funding for projects that:
- enhance engagement and provide capacity building opportunities for Indigenous. governments, organizations and communities affected by Lake Winnipeg water quality.
- increase Indigenous representation on boards, committees and organizations to foster relationship building and identify opportunities for collaboration on Lake Winnipeg Basin nutrient management issues.
- facilitate opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders and organizations to build relationships, carry out initial and necessary groundwork, as well as work collaboratively on identifying common priorities and partnerships related to water quality in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
Ineligible Projects
- Projects that are focused solely on water quantity issues.
- Projects designed only to beautify an area.
- The purchase or construction of municipal infrastructure (such as buildings, roads, and bridges).
- The purchase of land.
- Activities required by law and/or mandated by a level of government.
- Capital or operating costs of municipal infrastructure projects (such as sewers, sewage treatment plants, storm water ponds).
- Projects implemented and completed before a contribution agreement was signed.
- Projects implemented outside of Canada.
Please note this is not a complete list. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your project, please contact THEM for clarification.
Eligibility Criteria
- Domestic not-for-profit organizations such as professional associations, non-governmental organizations and groups, charitable and volunteer organizations.
- Domestic Indigenous governments, organizations, boards, commissions, communities, associations and authorities.
- Domestic research, academic, and educational institutions.
- Canadian individuals.
- Domestic for-profit organizations such as small businesses with less than 500 employees, companies, corporations, industry associations, and agricultural organizations.
- Local organizations such as community associations and groups, seniors’ and youth groups, and service clubs.
- Municipal governments, local governments and provincial and territorial crown corporations
- Regional conservation districts and/or watershed authorities.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2YxzaE6