The objective of this project is to establish tree windbreaks on private lands in a way that provides agronomic benefits and meets the needs of landowners, improves the environment and reduces collisions and operational costs by reducing blowing and drifting snow on adjacent highways. This project is based on the premise that a well designed farm windbreak plan is also good for the adjacent highway. Farm windbreaks set back 20 to 100 metres from a highway provide safety and operational improvements by reducing blowing and drfting snow. On many highways the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) does not have the property needed to set back these "living snow fences" and purchasing the additional property is not a desirable or viable alternative. Farm windbreaks improve safety and reduce operational costs for the adjacent highway (including frequency of plowing, sanding and salting in problem areas). This project was nominated for the TAC 2009 Environmental Acheivement Award. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E220308.
Samenvatting