We cannot afford to go backwards. The current debate within local governments about how to fund the ongoing work of the Shuswap Watershed Council is almost too painful to observe.
So much good work has been done, particularly the latest report that looks at farming practices, it would be absurd to lose the council now because our local politicians cannot agree on where the funding should come from. The new report outlines a work plan that will lead to improvements, but the council needs continued commitment, collaboration, and secure funding.
Every local politician should be at least required to read the executive summary of Agricultural Nutrient Management in the Shuswap Watershed for Maintaining and improving Water Quality: Literature Review and Nutrient Management Strategies.
Over the years, I have been alerted to obvious examples of manure-laden snowmelt water flowing into the rivers and I have witnessed and photographed the problems and often notified government agencies.
Finally, there is a report that analyzes these problems by going into detail about how phosphorus enters watersheds from agricultural operations and describes the mitigation strategies needed to reduce nutrient loading and thus help improve and protect water quality.
This report was prepared as a result of water quality monitoring data collected by SLIPP (Shuswap Lake Integrated Planning Process) between 2011 and 2013 that showed high levels of phosphorus entering the Shuswap, Eagle and Salmon rivers during the spring snowmelt and the late spring-early summer periods.
The literature shows that managing farmland to maximize yields often leads to “legacy phosphorus” forming in the soil which can take many years to decline after cessation of manure or fertilizer applications. The two major sources are particulate phosphorus from eroding soil and dissolved phosphorus from surface runoff and subsurface flow, which is best suited for stimulating the growth of algae.
A recent survey of fields along the Shuswap River between Enderby and Mara found that 36 percent had high levels of phosphorus and 50 percent had very high levels (above 100 ppm soil P). Only 20-30 ppm P is needed to provide the phosphorus requirements to grow a crop for one year. Also, 96 percent of the fields were considered to pose a potentially high to very high risk of phosphorus leaching or running off into surface water.
The most intensive area for agriculture is along the Shuswap River below Enderby, with approximately 50 dairy farms and 16 commercial poultry operations. Farming is less intensive adjacent to the Eagle and Salmon Rivers, where there are primarily beef cow-calf operations, hobby farms and just a few dairy and poultry farms. Currently these farms operate with a voluntary guideline for nutrient management. Farmers can be found to be in violation of the agricultural Waste Control Regulation, but this is difficult to enforce. There are no regulations concerning the application of chemical fertilizers.
Unfortunately, the research shows that in some areas where legacy phosphorus is persistent in the soils, it can take many years of mitigation efforts before water quality improves. Consequently, efforts need to begin soon in the Shuswap, as the studies indicate, most of the farmland adjacent to the Shuswap River is already heavily laden with phosphorus and thus it could take decades before improvements finally occur.
Yet, as the report shows, the first step is more in-depth water monitoring as although the results so far point to agriculture, there is not yet concrete evidence, nor are the specific mechanisms identified by which agricultural source phosphorus may be entering surface water. This detailed information can then be used to guide a mitigation program that will involve the Council working with the farming community to achieve the results needed to protect our precious lakes and streams. In addition, the council should help educate residents about our watershed and focus on developing climate change adaptation strategies.
Local politicians need to understand that every resident in the Shuswap benefits from a healthy watershed and thus shares in the responsibility to keep it healthy. Political boundaries need to be put aside in the debate, as the truly equitable funding model would be for each property owner to pay a small yearly tax.
And no doubt, most residents would support the cost of a few cups of coffee to pay for protecting the basis of our economy and our well-being – a healthy watershed.