I urge you to reconsider the…

I urge you to reconsider the amalgamation of the 36 conservation authorities into 7 regional conservation authorities. As someone who has a degree in agriculture and has worked adjacent to conservation authorities for my 40 year career, I believe this amalgamation goes too far too fast. I fear for the negative impacts that would come from the loss of local oversight.
Conservation Authorities currently provide a wealth of local knowledge both from staff and residents and local initiatives that respond to local watershed needs and are supported locally.
Conservation Authorities have a record of successful innovation of policy initiatives such as the implementation of Stormwater Protection measures that have been specific to each watershed.
Amalgamation would weaken environmental oversight at a time when climate change is causing more natural disasters.
With the proposed Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency, municipalities will still be required to provide significant funding for the new Conservation Authorities but will have little or no say in the way the agency operates.
There may be a case for amalgamating on a smaller scale such as Kettle Creek, Catfish Creek, Lower Thames and Upper Thames Conservation Authorities. Thank you.