Thank you for the providing…

Thank you for the providing the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to the Conservation Authrities Act.

Conservation Authorities are a unique entity and work under a model that has stood the test of time for over 70 years. They flexible and responsive to local environmental needs in our watersheds while providing good value for the money invested in them. They have a strong local presence, always have their boots on the ground dealing with climate change and our changing environment head-on while providing unique educational and engagement opportunities. No organization does all of what a Conservation Authority does. Local municipalities rely heavily on the expertise, guidance, and capacity of CAs to make projects happen that otherwise would never see the light of day.

I personally deeply value the work CAs are doing on the ground to make residents safer and our environment more resilient. There is no one else doing what they are doing and without it, Ontario would be a less desirable place to be. I've have personally and professionally benefited from the volunteering and educational opportunities CAs have provided where i've lived and worked.

For years the debate has been focused on what is the core mandate of CAs and what is not. Since 1946 the core mandate has been the program and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources on a *watershed scale*. After Hurricane Hazel the mandate to control floods and pollution was added. Watersheds, natural resources and hazards.

The *watershed* cannot be taken out of the water. Floodplains cannot be managed if CAs can't look back up the watershed and engage in review of proposals that may impact the runoff of water and sediments. We can watch floodplains get bigger or we can let CAs actively engage in their management and perhaps reduction by taking certain measures only they are experts in prescribing as local experts.

The quality and quantity of drinking water cannot be managed if CAs are not looking at the watershed and ensuring that the water to support the supply continues to get where it needs to go and stays clean and accessible for human and all wildlife.

I strongly encourage the province to see the bigger picture; water management is becoming increasingly important and CAs need the tools and the act updated to recognize this complex task and CAs expertis and abilities and not constrain them.

I ask that there be a change in the terminology from "programs and services related to the risk of natural hazards" to "programs and services for the protection and management of natural hazards". The proposed wording in the Act is too vague as to provide guidance as to the intent.

The following would be the minimum elements of a successful program for hazard management that the province should consider:
- Operations, inspections, maintenance or reconstruction of dams, channels, and erosion and ice control structures
-Flood forecasting and warning (hydrometric monitoring, data management, models, communications)
-Drought forecasting and warning (low water response teams)
-Emergency operations with municipalities (data support, communications, media, vulnerability assessments; post event assessments)
-Plan input and review for hazards, storm water management and feature protection (planning, engineering; ecology)
-Regulation (permitting and enforcement)
-Watershed planning to input to hazard management and planning decisions; determine effective mitigation measures including protection and expansion of natural areas and wetlands
-Floodline/Hazard and Risk Mapping (hydraulic and hydrologic modelling; base mapping; air photography, field assessment)
-Watercourse, shoreline and slope erosion control
-Hazard land securement
-Training/ Communications, Education and Outreach

As well, restoration activities (tree planting, wetland restoration, forest management) and monitoring of watershed health have been long standing activities that have ensured that the impacts of land use change on hazards have been minimized. They should be included in the core mandate

I think that the province should include an additional mandatory program area of “conservation of natural resources” to capture some of the programs and services that have long been part of a CAs core work, including:
-inventory and monitoring,
-tree planting and forest management,
-natural heritage systems planning,
-habitat restoration and creation,
-invasive species management and
-stewardship/ outreach activities.
-landowner and land management engagement and education

I support the CAs being charged with source protection but note that it is effectively downloading the program costs to the local taxpayer as the province is not expected to continue to pay for the program.

I am very glad that the province recognizes the value of the land holdings of the Conservation Authorities to the people of Ontario.

CAs hold large tracts of natural lands and active park facilities. Many of these lands provide flood control, flow augmentation, and contain erosion and flood hazards as well as sensitive and provincially significant ecological areas. These parks are regional destinations like Ontario Parks. Visitations to the parks continue to rise with the increasing population, emphasis on the health benefits of nature and decreasing access to personal greenspace in housing choices. CAs need to be able to invest in facilities and land to allow for more visitors and better experiences. I personally seek CA parks are prime destination for recreational activities for myself and my family and often these beautiful, unique, serene places are some of the first places i take my friends and family from out of town.

Some of the components of the Programs and services related to the conservation and management of lands include:
-Land planning (management plans)
-Land securement and acquisition
-Conservation area operations and management
-Property Management (maintenance, management agreements)
-Facilities maintenance and capital works
-Hazard assessments (hazard trees, weather, trail inspections)
-Inspection and Enforcement (risk and liability)

The regulations must allow for a wide range of programs and services on these lands to ensure that they continue to provide the functions they were intended for (be it recreation or natural heritage protection)