FRANCAIS

July 26, 2004

Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton today announced the extension of the riparian tax credit and further enhancements including new types of land eligible for the program, increased benefits to farm operators and a longer benefit period.

Among the changes, Ashton announced that the riparian tax credit will be expanded to include lakeshore property in the types of land eligible for the program.

"Last year, the riparian tax credit was expanded to include land along the Red and Assiniboine rivers," said Ashton. "This year we have made further enhancements by adding lakeshore property such as Lake Winnipeg to the types of land eligible for the program. The riparian tax credit now directly deals with the important issue of the environmental health of lakes."

Ashton also announced that the program would be extended for another year.

Other changes include lengthening the benefit period from three years to five and increasing the benefits for crop land from $2 to $10 per riparian acre per year; for grazing land with no agricultural activity from $7 to $14; and for grazing land with haying from $5 to $10.

"The new incentives announced today will further encourage the elimination of tillage and the limitation of grazing by livestock on lands adjacent to our waterways," said Ashton. "Better management of this land will improve water quality and reduce emission of greenhouse gases."

The program offers property tax credits in return for good management of riparian zones, the sensitive land bordering waterways that is important for preserving wildlife habitat, maintaining water quality and buffering against the effects of droughts and floods.

"Our waterways are a precious resource that we must safeguard," said Ashton. "Innovative programs like the riparian tax credit will help in improving the water quality of our lakes and rivers, and complement other ongoing initiatives such as our Lake Winnipeg Water Strategy and the clean beaches program."

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