2013 Annual Report
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Welcome to the 2013 Annual Report. The SVCA is also acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by municipal partners and taxpayers. As a result, SVCA As a conservation agency we continued to collaborate with proposed and was approved for a modest increase of only numerous organizations in furthering the work of conservation 2.2% to the general levy in 2013 and 1.5% for 2014. across our vast watershed. Stewardship initiatives remain an important part of what we do as they constitute the ‘on-the- Looking into 2014 we are excited about a number of new ground’ programs and services for which we are known. endeavours, including the construction of an educational trail system in the Greenock Swamp, the largest forested As a reflection of the ever changing environmental challenges, wetland in Southern Ontario. The new trail system will allow Saugeen Conservation (SVCA), has adjusted its programming to visitors to get ‘up close and personal’ to some of the natural address new concerns and issues. One of those is the sud- wonders in this incredible wetland complex. den progression of the Emerald Ash Borer and the threat it poses to our forests and urban landscape. SVCA has developed We are also excited with the prospect of receiving signifi- tools to assist municipalities and landowners in the treatment of cant land donations from two generous donors keen to see this pervasive insect. their lands conserved for future generations. This will provide Saugeen Conservation with an additional 21 hectares (52 acres) With funding provided by the Ministry of the Environment’s of forested wetlands. Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund, site work under- taken by dedicated volunteers of the Kincardine Cross Country In closing, I would like to leave you with this brief quote from Ski Club and SVCA staff, we saw great improvements to the famous naturalist John Muir. “When we try to pick out anything much used trail system at Stoney Island Conservation Area on by itself, we find it hitched to everything else.” Enjoy read- Lake Huron. This project was a good example of how partner- ing about our environmental accomplishments in a watershed ing between organizations can accomplish great things! where ‘everything is connected to everything else’. Bill Scriven Chair Highlights in 2013 CAMIS…A Camping We Will Go! Saugeen Conservation contracted with CAMIS, (an on-line reservation system), to coordinate campground reservations for both Saugeen Bluffs and Durham Conservation Areas. This has worked out very well for park visitors. Watershed Report Cards Thanks to the coordination efforts of Conservation Ontario, Report Cards, (state-of-the environment analysis), for watersheds throughout Ontario were released in 2013. Saugeen Conservation participated fully. A total of 10 subwa- tershed Report Cards were complet- Emerald Ash Borer ed as well as a formal summary re- Take a Hike! Treatment port within our jurisdiction. The report Improvements were made to the trails at Stoney Island Conservation As the invasive emerald ash borer made cards provide information on the state of Area, thanks to staff, the Great Lakes its appearance in the Saugeen watershed, forests, wetlands and water quality. Guardian Community Fund and the staff were doing everything they could to Kincardine Cross Country Ski Club. Trail be proactive against this major pest. The developments included new bridges, the Forestry Department offered land- planting of trees, new signage and more. owners a specialized treatment to protect their prized ash trees. Calls and inquiries numbered into the hun- dreds. Staff will continue with treatment options into 2014. “Conservation through Cooperation” A Saugeen Conservation slogan for many years now, it will become apparent as you read through these pages that many of our accomplishments involve extensive partnerships with literally hundreds of groups, organizations, local businesses, ministries and federal partners, just to name a few. TOGETHER – we can make it happen! Students greening the stormwater management pond at Sobey’s in Kincardine with staff and the Penetangore River Watershed Group. Funding came from OPG and the local municipality. Saugeen Conservation Watershed In This Issue Water Communications 4 Flood Warning 19 Communications 6 Water Management 21 Conservation Education 7 Environmental Planning & 23 Saugeen Valley Conservation Foundation Regulations 26 Volunteers and Sponsors 9 Water Quality 11 Drinking Water Source Protection 25 Behind the Scenes 12 Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation 13 Grassroots Conservation Efforts 27 Administration Lands 15 Grey Bruce Forestry Service 17 Conservation Areas Front cover photo: Snowy Owl by Dave Bishop. Water Flood Warning The year 2013 was characterized by a wetter than normal spring, a some- what dry summer, which was then followed by an exceptionally wet fall. Overall, rainfall during the growing season of April to October averaged 141% of normal values across the watershed. A total of 4 flood condition statements were issued, the result of heavy rainfall events during this time period. Snowfall was normal for the winter months and the actual spring runoff was uneventful with minimal flooding or ice problems experienced. A noteworthy benefit of the wet conditions is the gradual replenishment of the groundwater reserves, which are back to respectable levels following several years of decline due primarily to the reduction of supply from spring snowmelt. SaugeeQConservatioQhaVDWotaOoI26 flood warning gaugeslocateGacrosV thHentiUHwatershedaQareDoIoveU4,60sTkPoU(1,800sTmiles)ThesH gaugeVarHessentiaOWRSVCA’Vabilit\WRdeterminHwatersheGconditionsespe- ciall\durinJWimeVoIhigKwater GaugeVvar\acrosVthHwatersheGiQtermVoIparameterVmeasureGWateU levelswateUanGaiUtemperatureswinGspeeGanGprecipitatioQaUHjusWsomH oIthHelementVgathereGWRassisWstafIwitKwatersheGpredictions. watersheGconditionVstatementVissued flooGstationVoUgaugeVacrosVSVCA’VjurisdictioQ(monitorinJflowsrainfall wateUanGaiUtemperaturesetc.) SaugeeQConservatioQmonitorVoveU4,600km2iQbasinsSaugeeQRiver2sta- tionsPenetangorHRiveronHstatioQanG3inHRivertwRstations ThHSaugeeQRiveUiV19kPiQlengthfallVDtotaOoI5metreVanGdischargeV thHequivalenWoIapproximatel\11bathtubVoIwateU/seconG(mean intRLakH Huron ThHPenetangorHRiveUiV29kPiQlengthfallVDtotaOoI11metreVanGdischargeV approximatel\5.bathtubVoIwateUsecond ThH3inHRiveUiVkPiQlengthfallVDtotaOoI12metreVanGdischargeVDtotaO oIapproximatel\4.bathtubVIulOoIwateUpeUseconGintRLakHHuron AveragHannuaOprecipitatioQfoUthHSVC$areDiV108mPoU42.inches Flood Warning Stations Inverhuron Repairs The final phase of repairs was completed at the Inverhuron Flood Control Proj- ect, one of SVCA’s capital works projects. The repair work included the replace- ment of a 5 metre long 600mm diameter corrugated steel pipe. The previous one had succumbed to corrosion. This pipe is located on the upstream side of a large earthen flood control berm, and forms part of the outlet for the detention pond. The purpose of the project is to hold back run-off from agricultural fields, then provide a slow release before it enters the lake. The project cost was shared (50/50) between the municipality and the province. Water Management Frazil Ice Capital Works In 2013, $38,000 was spent to control Major flood and erosion control struc- the accumulation of frazil ice in the tures were constructed to fulfill one of channel of the Main Saugeen River, down- the prime mandates of Conservation stream from the lower Durham Dam. Authorities across Ontario; the prevention Funds were provided (50/50) by the Prov- of loss of life, property damage and social ince and the Municipality of West Grey. disruption from flood and eroision processes. Saugeen Conservation’s flood and A total of 320 hours were spent with erosion control structures are in- on-call machines to help remove frazil ice spected each year as part of the routine in an attempt to prevent blockages and duties of the Water Resources Depart- possible flooding. ment to ensure their ongoing integrity. Environmental Planning and Regulations In 2013, 150 permits were granted As of November 25th, 2013 all Fish Conservation authorities and the land under the Authority’s Development, Habitat Management Agreements drainage community implemented a Interference with Wetlands, and between conservation authorities and protocol for municipal drain main- Alterations to Shorelines and Water- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) tenance and repair activities. This courses Regulation – Ontario Regula- were cancelled due to amendments internal document establishes a means by tion 169/06. No permit applications were to the Fisheries Act. Previous partner- which conservation authorities and mu- denied. Permits are required for works ship agreements are no longer applicable. nicipalities can fulfill their responsibilities within Regulated Areas, such as flood under the Conservation Authorities Act plains, wetlands, and valleys, as well as and the Drainage Act respectively. for altering watercourses. In addition, 29 violations were investigated by staff. The SVCA had a Level 2 Agreement with DFO for almost 14 years. Hundreds A lengthy Regulation 169/06 enforce- of watercourse projects were reviewed ment matter was finally resolved in In February the Minister of Natural to ensure aquatic habitat was protected. 2013. In 2010, construction of additions Resources approved amendments to The conclusion of this partnership does and interior works occurred without all Conservation Authority Develop- not affect the