Development of a Technical Specification (TS) - Drainage, erosion, and water quality control strategies for agriculture using nature-based solutions

This document represents an invitation to Bidders to submit their proposals to the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) for SCC is seeking a Supplier to develop a Technical Specification (TS) for the priority area: Drainage, erosion, and water quality control strategies for agriculture using nature-based solutions.

All regions of Canada are experiencing environmental, social, and economic impacts that can be attributed to climate change. Adapting standards to ensure infrastructure is climate resilient is critical for Canada and its citizens. Standards can specify performance and material requirements that can be used as the integration point for climate-related risks into infrastructure planning and development processes.

Climate change affects agriculture in many ways, including alterations of rainfall patterns (flooding and drought), increasing occurrences of extreme weather (such as high wind events) and changed patterns of pest lifecycle. These changes cause decreased crop yields, increased stress on crops and livestock, and soil erosion. Current agricultural practices need to adapt for climate change, to ensure our watersheds and waterways are protected from agricultural processes. By providing a Technical Specification on how to use nature-based solutions for water management in agriculture, practitioners will be able to optimize natural infrastructure while also storing carbon.

The purpose of the TS is to help agricultural practitioners and land managers/owners with design and management relating to their infrastructure (i.e. land) by providing guidance on how nature-based solutions can be used to reduce erosion, improve drainage, and protect water quality and watersheds in agricultural practices.