Re: Environmental Registry…

Dear Minister Phillips,

The South Nation Conservation Authority has a strong history of close collaboration with its 16 member municipalities on shared priorities which protect the environment and engage communities while balancing people and nature.

SNC has local knowledge and expertise required to make informed decisions on project proposals. Staff are committed to ensuring that projects proceed successfully while fulfilling our environmental mandate of protecting people, places and property.

SNC provides significant value to its member municipalities as well as the local communities we serve through the following core services:

• Fostering Landowner Stewardship – plant trees, manage community lands, offer resources, work with partners on important water quality improvement projects.

• Protecting People and Property – Map and regulate floodplains and natural hazards, work closely with municipalities, residents and build community to support sustainable development, deliver flood forecasting programs and protect drinking water sources.

• Providing Natural Spaces and Recreational Opportunities – own and manage over 20,000 acres of public natural spaces.

• Making Science-Based Decisions – collect water, stream, fisheries, forestry and wetland data to support stewardship programs and guide sustainable development.

• Empowering Communities and Youth – Partner with schools and communities to deliver on-the-ground stewardship work and environmental education.

Conservation Authorities are one of the only boots-on-the-ground agencies working directly with municipalities, residents, and stakeholders in a timely and meaningful way; with international recognition for their approach to integrated watershed management.

Municipal partnerships have enabled our resilient communities to grow sustainably and come together on shared environmental priorities.

Our member municipalities support SNC’s ability to deliver important on-the-ground environmental work for watershed communities.

We encourage the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to consider the value in existing services provided by Conservation Authorities as they protect people and property from natural hazards, while supporting safe and sustainable development.

It is this commitment and hard work that will reap future benefits for our communities as well as the Province of Ontario, today and into the future.