<strong>Applying</strong> the <strong>Policies</strong>ConservationPOLICY 2.4<strong>Water</strong> retention, and control and timing <strong>of</strong> run<strong>of</strong>f, shall be promoted as part <strong>of</strong>watershed management.Background<strong>Water</strong>shed management should consider the fullrange <strong>of</strong> potential activities for resolving issues pertainingto water or for meeting water-related needs.In many instances a solution can be found by dealingwith water at or near the location where it falls to theground in the form <strong>of</strong> rain or snow.One technique is to maintain vegetative cover, forexample, by retaining standing stubble to trap snowon fields, or by growing forages and trees on hillsides.Another is to retain small wetlands which collectivelycan store large amounts <strong>of</strong> water for groundwaterrecharge, wildlife habitat, and the moderation <strong>of</strong>stream flows. If storm or snowmelt run<strong>of</strong>f can beboth reduced and retarded, downstream channels canbetter accommodate the remaining flows without theflooding <strong>of</strong> adjacent lands.Excessive volumes and velocities <strong>of</strong> flowingwater <strong>of</strong>ten lead to erosion which can take manydestructive forms. Land productivity is reduced bythe loss <strong>of</strong> topsoil. Fields can be ruined through theformation <strong>of</strong> large gullies, and roadways can bedestroyed. Sediment from the erosion process maycause siltation <strong>of</strong> drainage channels and reservoirs.Silt in streams and lakes can degrade or destroy fishspawning habitat and food supplies.Intent1. To retain water, where appropriate, for watersupply, soil moisture replenishment, groundwaterrecharge, and wetland habitat.2. To moderate flows, where appropriate, toreduce erosion and deposition and their negativeeffects on aquatic ecosystems.Application1. The <strong>Government</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Manitoba</strong> will:• promote the retention <strong>of</strong> run<strong>of</strong>f water, where appropriate,for water supply, soil moisture replenishment,groundwater recharge, and wetland habitat.• promote water retention, and control and timing <strong>of</strong>run<strong>of</strong>f as measures to adopt, where appropriate, toreduce peak flows and flow velocities, prolongflows, reduce erosion and deposition, and protector enhance aquatic habitat.• support the retention <strong>of</strong> wetlands, through promotionalinitiatives, incentives, and regulation whereappropriate, as a highly effective mechanism tostore and slow run<strong>of</strong>f while accomplishing numerousother conservation objectives.• provide or support incentives to encourage use <strong>of</strong>privately owned marginal lands for water retentionand wetland habitat, and to encourage conversion<strong>of</strong> developed marginal agricultural lands into naturalcover, water retention, and wetland habitatareas.• promote retention <strong>of</strong> natural vegetation cover toslow run<strong>of</strong>f and reduce erosion in areas <strong>of</strong> steeptopography.• promote limiting drainage development andreduced drainage conveyance capacities in headwaterareas as effective measures to reduce peakflows.• ensure that planning and design <strong>of</strong> provincialdrainage works and those <strong>of</strong> local governments andconservation districts support water retention andrun<strong>of</strong>f moderation, where appropriate.26
<strong>Applying</strong> the <strong>Policies</strong>Conservation• provide technical assistance and advice to localgovernments, conservation districts, conservationgroups, and individuals concerning practicaldrainage and water retention measures to supportconservation.• protect natural water retention areas on CrownLand, and control inappropriate drainage <strong>of</strong> ecologicallysensitive areas on Crown Land by withholdingthese lands from sale or lease, or by placing specialrestrictions or conditions on their use.• adopt water retention, flow moderation, erosioncontrol, and associated conservation benefits as criteriain basin/ watershed/local planning.2. Local governments and conservation districtscan:• ensure that local planning and development restrictionssupport overall watershed conservation.3. Landowners can:• adopt practical measures, where appropriate, tostore or delay run<strong>of</strong>f for water supply purposes, soilmoisture replenishment, and groundwater recharge.• retain natural cover and use appropriate land managementpractices to slow run<strong>of</strong>f and prevent erosionin areas <strong>of</strong> steep topography.• obtain available technical assistance from governmentdepartments or other qualified sources onpractical drainage and water control measures toslow and store run<strong>of</strong>f, attenuate flows, and achieveassociated conservation objectives.• participate with senior governments, local authorities,and conservation organizations in agreements,programs, and initiatives which provide incentivesand technical support to achieve conservationobjectives.• plan and design drainage and water retention worksto achieve conservation objectives.• consult government departments or qualified consultantsfor technical assistance and advice, whereappropriate, on practical means to retain run<strong>of</strong>f,attenuate flows, and achieve associated conservationobjectives.• participate with the provincial government and thefederal government, conservation organizations, andindividuals in agreements, programs, promotionalinitiatives, and incentives to achieve conservationobjectives.• participate with the provincial government in basinand watershed planning, and adopt appropriatemeasures in local plans and projects to supportwater retention, flow moderation, erosion control ,and associated benefits.27