CENTRE WELLINGTON – Township staff didn’t have a policy and didn’t know how to proceed when Sloping Acres Inc. asked if it could install six-inch pipe under a township road to convey liquid manure from one farm property to another.
Robert Mussleman of Sloping Acres delegated to council in February asking for permission to directionally bore under 8th Line and Middlebrook Road to convey fertilizer from a tank on the home farm to fields across the road.
In his presentation, Mussleman said Sloping Acres is approved to apply two million gallons of liquid fertilizer each year to its farm properties.
Currently he uses a conventional tractor and tanker.
Making an estimated 520 road crossings or road travel per year to apply fertilizer twice a year.
New Method
The new method would result in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, no wear and tear on roads, no chance of traffic accidents, no chance of environmental spills, noiseless operation, better soil health, and efficiencies for his business, he told councillors.
Council directed staff to look into the matter and on July 5 manager of public works John Gaddye presented a report to council supporting the initiative.
“Upon review of the current practice of other rural jurisdictions, infrastructure services staff will handle such requests for private infrastructure on the road allowance through our current process for encroachment agreements … subject to applicable technical requirements related to nutrient management, road construction, locating and public safety requirements,” Gaddye stated in his report.
All costs related to an encroachment are borne by the applicant, including legal review, registration and construction, he added.
Under review
Staff will also review the situation and confer with other municipalities to determine a fee structure when the township reviews its fees and charges bylaw.
“I thank you for addressing this,” said councillor Bronwynne Wilton as council received the report for information.
“This is really important as agriculture evolves.”
