The Assiniboine River Basin

The Assiniboine River basin is approximately 42,000 km2 in size (excluding the Souris and Qu'Appelle river basins) and stretches from its headwaters in eastern Saskatchewan to the Red River at the Forks. Land use in the basin is dominated by agriculture. Manitoba's potato industry, the second largest potato industry in Canada, is heavily reliant on the Assiniboine River during the summer months. In the late 1960's the Shellmouth Dam was constructed on the river to provide downstream flood protection. The reservoir formed by the dam, called Lake of the Prairies, has also been an important supply of water for irrigation, industrial and municipal uses.

Ecological goods and services (EG&S) are benefits that arise from ecological functions of healthy ecosystems. Examples of ecological goods include clean air, clean and abundant fresh water and a diverse and healthy soil. Services include carbon sequestration, erosion control, purification of water and air, water retention and maintenance of biodiversity. In the Assiniboine River watershed, the Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) is an EG&S pilot proposal designed by farmers for farmers. The project aims to conserve and restore Manitoba's valuable natural capital on private lands, while respecting and rewarding the important role that farmers play in environmental management.

Incentives, in the form of a per acre financial payout are available to farmers who want to set aside land to protect wetlands, natural areas, ecologically sensitive lands and to increase the size of buffer zones along streams and rivers. Providing financial incentives are one approach to conserve and protect private environmental assets and can be carried out with existing programs of regulation, environmental farm planning, integrated watershed planning and tax rebates.