In 2020 Jeremie Lussier, who farms along the Marsh River in the RM of De Salaberry, signed up to participate in the SRRWD Alternative Land Use Services program. One of the project sites was located on a drain that flows into the Marsh River. Jeremie planted perennial grasses all along the drain. This quarter-mile stretch will now reduce soil erosion and siltation along this waterway. Jeremie says participating in a program like this is great for his operation as it minimizes the risk of planting crops in an area that is prone to flooding in high water events. At the same time, he can contribute back to the community at large through the environmental benefits of the project such as nutrient and sediment reduction in our waterways
Jeremie Lussier Grassed Waterway
Marsh River
Benefits
Environmental Benefits
- Captures nutrient run-off
- Erosion Reduction
- Carbon Capture
- Wildlife and pollinator habitat.
Producer/Community Benefits
- Reduce costs for seed, fertilizer, etc
- Reduce nitrogen loss
- Income from grazing or baling
- Easier land management
- Reduces sediment into waterways
Characteristics
- Mixture of lowland grasses is planted this helps stabilizes soil and capture nutrient runoff
- Grass is either cut and baled or flash grazed once a year for nutrient removal
- Removal of grass is done after mid-July to protect possible wildlife nesting sites found within the buffer.
