This is a terrible idea, and…

This is a terrible idea, and I do not support this. You make a lot of broad and derogatory statements in this proposal that are not substantiated by facts - "undermining conservation authorities’ ability to protect communities from floods and natural hazards"? What is your evidence?
Conservation authorities play a vital role in our local communities. They know the municipal staff, they are a trusted local resource, they are the experts on the history and the future of conservation in our communities. As a farmland holder, I have been so blessed to deal with the same people over years, and work side by side with them to steward my land. Having this local contact be subsumed into a huge bureaucratic organization would be detrimental to my local needs and those of our community and watershed.
We have seen the chaos that happens with these systemic orgs and reorgs - in health, DHCs to regional offices to LHINs, to OHTs and OH regional offices (still not fully functional in some areas), PHU consolidations. All it leads to is years of disruption and waste decommissioning offices, buying out staff, etc. and then trying to rehire people, re-distribute workload, build local relationships all over again. This is a waste of time and money when good work is already being done. Please do not do this.