I’m strongly against this…

I’m strongly against this proposal of change and I urge the province to reevaluate. Watershed decisions should be based on science, geography, and local hydrology, not overly large administrative boundaries. Listen to Local Communities – The Province should carefully consider input from municipalities, landowners, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, and community groups before any final decision is made.

The proposed Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority — covering 8 conservation authorities and 81 municipalities — is much too large to remain responsive and effective. The Province should consider smaller, more focused regional models that improve efficiency while preserving local knowledge and relationships.

Keep Conservation Local – Local conservation staff and offices understand the water, land, people, and challenges of the Upper Thames River watershed in ways centralized decision-makers cannot. Decisions made from afar will not reflect the area’s unique environmental, agricultural, and community needs. Local expertise is essential for public safety, environmental protection, and the delivery of effective community services.
Protect Existing Programs and Services – The UTRCA delivers programs that directly support the unique requests and needs of watershed landowners, municipalities, and communities. Our residents value our species-at-risk initiatives (turtles and fish), environmental education for students, specialized technical advice, and outdoor recreation—but these are just some of the programs that may be lost under a centralized, standardized regional model. These locally developed services must be protected. A regional model may lead to reduced service levels, loss of expertise, or diminished community access for local residents.

Support Efficient Planning and Permitting – UTRCA provides timely responses and approvals that meet or exceed provincial timelines. In 2024, 99% of permit applications were completed within the provincial guidelines. Regionalizing permitting must not create delays, bottlenecks, or reduced access to technical expertise.

Ensure Fair and Transparent Funding – A regional funding model must be fair to rural municipalities and avoid cost shifts that disadvantage small communities. Member municipalities contribute 34% of the UTRCA’s operating budget through levies and cost-sharing agreements, 34% is self-generated through user fees and donations, and 30% is obtained through applications to foundations and other levels of government to leverage municipal contributions and provide more robust programs to watershed residents. The provincial contributions represent just 2% of the UTRCA’s operating budget.