I'm a rural homeowner in the…

I'm a rural homeowner in the South Nation watershed, and my family relies upon groundwater. In the current configuration our conservation authority is focused on the needs of our region in particular, and has a deep understanding of our watershed. If your plans come to fruition, the decisions our new conservation authority make will end up being dominated by the population center in Ottawa, and our region will marginalized. Even if this marginalization does not occur, there will be less of a focus, and fewer resources on our region in particular when we need more boots on the ground. I have seen some of my neighbors spray hot manure just before a rainfall, using the rain to dilute what would otherwise burn crops. All of that excess nutrient ended up in our waterways. This year, during the drought, many of my neighbors' wells went dry. We need more support locally, and I believe that the only way that can happen is if the conservation authorities are kept in their current configuration and their funding is increased.

Please do not proceed with amalgamation!