2016 was a record year for Huron County's Clean Water Program both in terms of projects done and funding provided.
The funding is provided by the county and the program is administered by the Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities. MVCA General Manager Phil Beard says last year 344 new projects were undertaken and that represented 547-thousand dollars in funding. Both of those figures were records. Beard suggests that the growing popularity of the program is because farmers are recognizing the benefits of keeping soil and nutrients on their land rather than flowing down a river and into the lake. He adds with the increasing value of agricultural land it makes sense to keep that land as healthy and productive as possible.
The popularity of the program persuaded county council to impose a lower ceiling on some projects so that more property owners can take advantage of the program.
