Cost-benefit analysis of proposed actions to reduce the phosphorus load entering Missisquoi Bay from the Rivière de la Roche watershed

Description

The Rivière de la Roche sub-watershed has one of the highest phosphorus and sediment export rates of the entire Missisquoi Bay watershed—a particularly challenging situation for the local agricultural sector. This project’s goal is to locate the main sources of phosphorus discharge into the watershed and identify agri-environmental action plans that could reduce the phosphorus load entering Missisquoi Bay by 40%. We will conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed plans in order to facilitate the acceptance and adoption of alternative management practices by the surrounding farming community.

Objective(s)

• Estimate the Rivière de la Roche sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loads based on historical discharge and water quality data.
• Identify the most beneficial management practices (BMPs) and develop pollution-reduction scenarios that work in an agricultural context.
• Estimate the costs of implementing the BMPs.