Operations in Zones N1, N2, and N3

• Zones N1 (Canada Land Inventory (CLI) class 1, 2 or 3 lands other than those bearing a “M” limitation), N2 (CLI class 3 lands bearing a “M” limitation, class 4 lands and class 5M lands if irrigated), and N3 (CLI class 5 lands not captured in zone N2) cover approximately 80 % of central and southern Manitoba. The regulation would come into effect for existing operations on January 1, 2011 and immediately for new or expanding operations. Compliance can be achieved by meeting the soil nitrate-nitrogen limits and phosphorus thresholds or registering a nutrient management plan.

Operations in Zone N4

• Zone N4 (CLI class 6 and 7 lands and unimproved organic soils) is considered environmentally sensitive. The majority of these lands are not presently cropped. Zone N4 consists of landscapes with steep slopes, stable and active sand dunes, marshes, bogs, fens, etc. No new operations will be allowed in Zone N4. The regulation applies to existing operations on January 1, 2009, but they may be allowed to continue in accordance with a registered nutrient management plan. Grazing will continue to be allowed in Zone N4.

Zone N5 - Urban and Built-up Areas

• Effective January 1, 2009, no one shall apply a fertilizer to turf containing more than 1 per cent phosphorus by weight, expressed as P2O5. An exception to this restriction includes newly established turf during the year of establishment as well as the year following establishment. Phosphorus-containing fertilizers can also be applied in situations where soil testing has been conducted and agronomic recommendations suggest the addition of a phosphorus-containing fertilizer. Flowerbeds, gardens, trees and shrubs are excluded from the phosphorus restrictions.

Nutrient Buffer Zones

• Nutrient Buffer Zones apply to all water bodies and groundwater features located across Manitoba including within urban and rural residential areas and within agricultural regions. As of January 1, 2009, nutrients arising from livestock manure, fertilizer, municipal wastewater sludge or biosolids can not be applied to areas within the Nutrient Buffer Zone. The width of the Nutrient Buffer Zone varies depending upon the nature of the body of water and is generally consistent with those contained in the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation.

Golf Courses

• Golf courses will be required to submit nutrient management plans by 2009 and, similar to other sectors, will not be able to apply nutrients to Nutrient Buffer Zones beyond 2009. Existing golf courses could continue to apply nutrients in Zone N4 if supported by registered nutrient management plans.

Biosolids

• Beginning in 2011, municipalities will no longer be allowed to apply wastewater sludge and biosolids during the winter period. This is generally consistent with requirements for the livestock sector.

Restriction on Winter Application of Nutrients

• Synthetic fertilizers, municipal wastewater sludges or biosolids containing nitrogen or phosphorus can not be applied to land between November 10 of one year and April 10 of the following year effective January 1, 2009 for Nutrient Management Zone N4 and January 1, 2011 for Nutrient Management Zones N1, N2 and N3.

Guidelines for the Development of Nutrient Management Plans

Nutrient Management Plan templates have been developed in consultation with Keystone Agricultural Producers, Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change and others.

Nutrient Management Plan templates are available for the following types of enterprises:

• Golf course/driving range
  • Template
  • Instructions
  • Nutrient Recommendations
• Agricultural operation
  • Only synthetic fertilizer is applied to the land
    • Template
    • Instructions
  • Only livestock manure* is applied to the land
    • Template
    • Instructions
  • Livestock manure* and synthetic fertilizer are applied to the land (but no municipal wastewater sludge or biosolids are applied)
    • Template
    • Instructions
  • Municipal wastewater sludge and/or biosolids are applied to the land (even if also applying synthetic fertilizer or livestock manure*)
    • Template
    • Instructions

Restriction on Winter Application of Nutrients

Provincial legislation prohibits the application of nitrogen and phosphorus between and including November 10 of one year and April 10 of the following year. Nutrient sources containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus include synthetic fertilizer and livestock manure. The winter spreading restrictions are in place as the application of nutrients onto frozen or snow-covered soils results in an increased risk of nutrient runoff. Nutrient runoff to waterways contributes directly to algal blooms in Lake Winnipeg and elsewhere.

However, there may be some years where weather conditions are such that agricultural land can reasonably be worked to apply nutrients between November 10 of one year and April 10 of the following year for crop uptake while still protecting water quality. In these cases, a provincial or regional variance may be issued.

Provincial/Regional Variances

Provincial legislation (Nutrient Management Regulation (M.R. 62/2008) and the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation (M.R. 42/98)) authorizes the director to vary these dates if conditions are such that soils remain thawed and are not snow covered on or after November 10 providing nutrients can reasonably be worked into the soil for crop uptake or if soils thaw earlier than April 10 in the spring.

The following two policies are currently in effect:

• Application in spring prior and including April 10
• Application in autumn on or after November 10

Individual Variances

When a regional/province-wide variance has not been issued for the winter application of nutrients and an individual producer believes their soil/weather conditions should be considered for a variance, agricultural producers must contact staff in the Nutrient Management Regulation program at nmr@gov.mb.ca or by phone at (204) 945-0002. If an individual wishes to make a formal request for a variance, the request must be provided in writing by a Professional Agrologist or Certified Crop Adviser.

At any time throughout the winter, emergency situations may occur. Pursuant to Section 14(4) of the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation (M.R. 42/98), the director may authorize winter application of manure due to an emergency situation or extenuating circumstance. Examples may include the manure storage facility reaching its capacity or the imminent failure of a manure storage facility. Information on Emergency Manure Spreading Requests is available or by contacting Environmental Approvals Branch at: mmpregistration@gov.mb.ca or by phone at (204) 945-8321.

Last updated: October 16, 2024

*Nutrient Buffer Zone is measured from the water body's high water mark or the top of the outermost bank on that side of the waterbody, whichever is further from the water.

†Designated on a Province of Manitoba plan that shows the designation of drains.

• PDF Format https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/waste_management/livestock_program/livestockmap.html
• AgriMaps interactive map https://agrimaps.gov.mb.ca/agrimaps/

‡As defined in 1(2) in the Nutrient Management Regulation under The Water Protection Act. "For the purposes of this regulation, a wetland, bog, marsh or swamp is major if

1. it has an area greater than 2 ha (4.94 acres)
2. it is connected to one or more downstream water bodies or groundwater features; and
3. it contains standing water or saturated soils for periods of time sufficient to support the development of hydrophytic vegetation."

Vulnerable Water Bodies

The following water bodies are designated as vulnerable in the Nutrient Management Regulation:

Restricting Phosphorus Content in Fertilizers Used in Urban and Rural Residential Areas

The Nutrient Management Regulation under the Water Protection Act came into effect on March 18, 2008 (see news release), and was amended on June 27, 2008 (see news release) to limit the phosphorus content in fertilizers used in urban and built-up areas.

Effective January 1, 2009, within Nutrient Management Zone N5 (urban and built up areas), no one shall apply a fertilizer to turf containing more than 1 per cent phosphorus by weight, expressed as P₂O₅. An exception to this restriction includes newly established turf during the year of establishment as well as the year following establishment.

Phosphorus-containing fertilizers and Olsen-P can be applied provided that the soil test phosphorus level :

• is less than 60 ppm on land used to grow grass for sale as sod,
• is less than 30 ppm on land used as a sports facility, or
• is less than 18 ppm on land used neither to grow grass for sale as sod or as a sports facility

Flowerbeds, gardens, trees and shrubs are excluded from the phosphorus restrictions.

In addition, no one shall apply or allow the escape of a substance containing nitrogen or phosphorus onto a paved or other impervious surface within Nutrient Management Zone N5. Should this occur, the individual must immediately take all reasonable steps to remove the substance so that it does not drain into a storm or sewage drainage system.

Background

Manitoba Water Stewardship proposed a number of approaches in August 2007 to reduce nutrient contributions from fertilizer applications and household cleaning products in urban and rural residential areas. A series of open houses were held in five communities across the province in September 2007. An overview of the information obtained from the open houses is summarized in a report entitled "What You Told Us - Proposed Approaches to Reducing Nutrient Contributions from Urban and Rural Residential Sources and individual comments are also available electronically.