I have great concern…

I have great concern regarding the proposed amalgamation and centralization of the existing conservation authorities. I was not encouraged by the fact that the text of the document misplaces the Cataraqui watershed system in the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority when it is clearly shown on the map to be part of the proposed St. Lawrence Regional Conservation Authority!

The existing regional conservation authorities relate to well defined watersheds that have specific and unique geographies. I have relied on the expertise of staff at the Cataraqui Regional Conservation Authority (CRCA) on a number of occasions. Their deep and extensive knowledge of the watershed that includes both extensive karst topography and some shield is invaluable.
At present, the City of Kingston is working on a new Official Plan. Many residents have serious concerns regarding a number of applications from developers for the City to extend the existing urban boundary to allow development in a number of environmentally sensitive areas. In particular, along the Butternut Creek watershed, a tributary watershed to the Cataraqui River. The knowledge of the local geography and geology that has been built up by CRCA staff over the last 50 years is proving invaluable in discussions around the urban boundary issue.
I fear that centralization will lead to a loss of local environmental expertise and a further distancing of decision making from local citizens.
I urge the provincial government to reconsider the wisdom of this proposal.