Research is underway to determine the impact of cattle on watersheds and if the problem can be minimized.
The Electoral Area Advisory Committee will provide $15,000 to the Ministry of Forests for a water quality monitoring study.
“They will some research on the impact of cattle grazing in community watersheds,” said Laura Frank, sustainability co-ordinator for the Regional District of North Okanagan.
The study will be conducted by the ministry and the University of B.C. on Vernon, Oyama, Deer and Duteau creeks.
Among the focus of the study are performing microbial source tracking and determining if correlations exist between bacteria at the water intake and upstream.
It will also develop a model of one drainage basin and perform a risk assessment about changing cattle management strategies.
The Ministry of Forests is providing $45,000 for the project while $10,000 is coming from Lake Country.
“The outcome of the research will impact best practises throughout the region,” said Frank.
