As part of the MRC du Val-Saint-François Wetlands and Waterways Action Plan (PRMHH), visits to agricultural ditch or watercourse buffer zones will take place in several municipalities within the MRC, including Melbourne, during the month of May.
The MRC is conducting these visits to promote proper maintenance of buffer strips in agricultural areas in order to enhance their environmental benefits. Indeed, buffer strips help improve water quality, stabilize riverbanks, reduce erosion, and benefit biodiversity.
These visits will be conducted by the MRC’s designated partner, the COGESAF watershed organization. The goal is to assess the condition of the buffer zone, place a marker in the field indicating the minimum width of 3 meters from the high-water line of the watercourse, and inform farmers about the financial and technical resources available to them for improving this zone. Farmers may therefore see COGESAF technicians along the edges of their fields in the coming weeks.
Affected landowners will receive a letter in the mail informing them of the initiative. A brief report will also be sent to them following the visit, containing observations made in the field and links to resources. Under no circumstances will these visits be used to issue fines or penalties.
Farmers with questions may contact the MRC at environnement@mrcvsf.ca.
Last modified: 13 April 2026
