After reading the proposed…

After reading the proposed changes, I'm worried that conservation authorities will be limited in their scope to just flood control especially since they provide so many great programs, resources and science based decision making to local management initiatives.

Conservation Authorities are an Ontario model that has stood the test of time for over 70 years. They are good value for money and are flexible and responsive to the local environmental needs in our watersheds. CA's are a local presence in the community, who actually do field research to assess management needs. No one else fills the role. Conservation Authorities are not just about flood management. Since 1946 the core mandate of Conservation Authorities has been the program and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of
natural resources on a watershed scale. After the floods of Hurricane Hazel, the mandate to control floods and pollution was added. Floodplains and drinking water cannot be managed if Conservation Authorities are not looking at the whole watershed system. Protecting people and property and managing natural hazards like flooding requires a watershed view. Conservation Authorities are major providers of restoration activities (tree planting, wetland restoration, forest management) and monitoring watershed health in Ontario. Wetland restoration will actually help mitigate flooding effects. The natural environment contributes clean air, clean water and a multitude of benefits important to the health and well-being of the people of Ontario. The province should include an additional mandatory program area of “conservation of natural resources” to capture some of the core programs and
services that have long been part of Conservation Authority work. Conservation areas and lands provide opportunities for recreation as well as long term protection of natural areas. CAs need the resources to manage these lands and provide for Ontario’s growing population.