2022-54 Shelterbelt Policy

Municipality of Rhineland, Manitoba

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 165981cd46bc · verified 2026-06-09 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

Shelterbelt Program - Public Works MUNICIPALITY OF RHINELAND POLICY NO. 2022- 54 ADOPTED BY: Resolution No. 169/ 22 Last Updated: May 2022 DATE: May 11th, 2022 Page: 1 of 2 TITLE: Shelterbelt Program Department: Public Works PURPOSE: The purpose of this policy shall be to establish a program to encourage the planting of shelterbelts in the Municipality. RATIONALE: To establish an application and review system to encourage the planting of shelterbelts. POLICY STATEMENT: The Municipality of Rhineland encourages agricultural shelterbelts and the benefits that properly placed and maintained shelterbelts provide to a Municipality as a whole. ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES: PROCEDURES: Applicants wishing to establish new agricultural shelterbelt trees will contact the Municipality. Proposals must be submitted on an approved application form and include: Tree species that grows well in local soil conditions Tree spacing Tree location Confirmation of on-going maintenance to be performed Proposed timeline Other information as required by the Municipality The Municipality will review each application taking the following factors into consideration: Road safety and visibility Roadway traffic, speeds Future works anticipated within the ROW Snow drifting Snow storage Spring snow removal for flood prevention Soil drift Drainage - type/ size/ requirements of drainage impacted Species of trees Trees located adjacent to the subject property Shelterbelt Program - Public Works Other considerations the Municipality deems appropriate GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Applications are to be received from the landowner, not from contractors or outside agencies. Where trees will be located on part of/ adjacent to the applicant's land, approval of neighboring landowner may be required. Applications are to be on parcels of land 40 acres or larger, applications on smaller pieces may be considered by the Municipality. Appropriate site preparation (tilling, chemicals, planting methods). Appropriate location approved by the Municipality. Tree row is to be kept weed free creating a favorable habitat for the trees to get established to be eligible for maintenance payments in years 2 and 3. If new growth of the trees is generally not evident payment may be denied. REBATE: Rebate of up to $500 per ½ mile available for the establishment of the tree tow. A rebate of $500 per half mile will also be available for maintenance for the newly established shelterbelt for the subsequent 2 years. Only projects that have been previously approved by the Municipality under this program will be rebated. Maintenance rebates will be paid upon inspection of the tree row in fall of that year. Rebates will be issued upon final approval by the Municipality confirming requirements of the approved application were met. PROCESS: Applicant submits proposal to the Municipality. The project is entered as a Shelterbelt Project and assigned a project # by the Municipal team. Municipality reviews/ comments/ adjusts. If denied: No appeal. If approved: o Approval is issued o Applicant completes installation o Applicant requests funding from the Municipality o The Municipality reviews finished project for conformity with approved plan o The Municipality issues cheque to the applicant upon successful review o Municipality inspect in fall of year 2 and 3 o Municipality issues annual cheque for maintenance of tree row