Why is the province trying…

Why is the province trying to consolidate the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority (LRCA) into the “Huron-Superior Regional Conservation Authority” boundary which is 1500(!) km from our Lakehead Watershed?

The work of the LRCA is intensely local: including natural hazard permitting and reviews, drinking water source protection, flood forecasting and warning, management of flood and erosion control infrastructure, low water response coordination, public access to conservation areas and trails, education, and implementation of restoration and resilience projects.The LRCA is unique in both its location and the region that it serves and should not be amalgamated with conservation authorities that have no watershed or municipal connection.

The LRCA is funded approximately 50% by municipal levy, ONLY 5% by provincial funding and 45% by
self-generated revenue and other external funding that staff apply for and secure annually
(programs and projects vary year to year). In addition, the LRCA owns land and provides programming beyond the area of jurisdiction of the LRCA in the Lakehead Watershed that benefits all of northwestern Ontario including: sea lamprey control, invasive species management (i.e., phragmites, narrow-leaved catail, etc.), participate in Lake Superior wide groups, grow northwestern Ontario native plants for projects in the north (Seeds for Conservation), Kam River Standing Advisory Commitee, Blue-Green Algae research on Lake Superior, migratory bird habitat, species-at-risk monitoring, Boundary Waters Voyageur Waterway – Canadian Heritage River System proposed eastern section River Steward), access to and boat launches on Lake Superior, collaboration and support to neighbouring First Nation Communities, riparian habitat restoration, resource materials, access to educational programming (bird festival, etc.) and general promotion of conservation and protection of the watershed in general.

The consolidation of the LRCA within the Huron-Superior Regional Conservation Authority will
result in a loss of local direction, governance and prioritization of northwestern Ontario specific
pressures and issues. Without local representation, there will be a loss of control of budgetng,
no connection to local councils and no understanding of local priorities.

The LRCA Board of Directors opposes the proposed LRCA consolidation with the Huron-Superior
Regional Conservation Authority and recommends that the LRCA become its own region
representing northwestern Ontario.

I fully support their recommendations. The LRCA is a local, healthy, functional body -- leave it be.