Bertrand
Watershed Improvement District
Bertrand WID Priorities, Goals, and Possible Actions
1. Water quantity: water availability for agricultural uses
Goal: Farmers in the Bertrand WID have secure (legal) access to sufficient water for agricultural uses.
Actions:
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(2017) Completed the pilot Flow Augmentation Project.
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(2018) Sought approval of permanent water right for augmentation projects.
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(2019) Surface to groundwater transfers in the WID area - complete 3 more transfers as part of Foster Task Force Pilot.
Goal: Agricultural activities in the Bertrand WID do not cause water quality standards to be exceeded in the surface water and groundwater bodies within the WID area.
Actions:
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(2019) Continue with the ongoing water quality monitoring & response program.
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(2019) Engage BC landowners and agencies in water quality concerns
Goal: Drainage infrastructure and ditches in the Bertrand WID are actively and effectively maintained.
Actions:
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(2019) Pursue programmatic 5-year drainage permit(s) with assistance from the Whatcom Conservation District
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(2019) Complete a fish friendly tidegate on Duffner Ditch
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(2019) Consider ditch mowing services by the WID
Goal: Agricultural lands in the Bertrand WID are protected from flooding at critical times in the growing season.
Actions:
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(2019): Propose River projects to be funded under the FLIP process
5. Communication, Outreach, and Education
Goal (internal): WID members are aware of and understand the priority issues and participate actively in WID planning & implementation of priority actions.
Goal (external): Nonagricultural residents and other stakeholders outside the WID are aware of, understand and support the Bertrand WID’s priority actions
Actions:
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(2015) Redesigned website @ www.bertrandwid.com
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(2017 - present) Use AWB and Family Farmers newsletters to communicate current projects
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(2017 - present) Sponsor WCD Speaker Series and other communication efforts
6. Water flow processes; Habitats & species
Goal : The Bertrand WID’s plans and actions help to protect and enhance water flow processes and fish and wildlife habitats in the Bertrand and lower Fishtrap watersheds
Actions:
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(2019) Identify and replace priority fish blocking culverts
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(2019) Continued work on Flow Augmentation Project
7. Agricultural protection (Protecting the agricultural industry)
Goal: Important agricultural land in the WID is protected from conversion through appropriate zoning and/or voluntary agricultural conservation easements
