Introduction to Your Local Conservation Authorities Elizabeth VanHooren Conservation AuthorSty Jerry Campbell Presentation Overview: 1 Part of the collection of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario *Local CAS Conservation Authorities Act- 1946 Founding Principles 1. Watershed Jurisdiction _.7 Shared Costs 3. Local Initiative 2 r Why Watershed Jurisdiction? Pros: - Allows for management of the entire surface water system - There is always someone downstream - water doesn't respect political boundaries - Sense of commitment to the overall system Cons: - Difficult for municipalities and the public to grasp - Municipalities split by watersheds Shared Costs Originally 50% Provincial - 50 % Municipal Mid 90s Shift - withdrawal of Provincial share More municipal investment needed Diversification of revenues has been required 3 Local Initiative Local municipalities have to request a conservation authority UTRCA formed in 1947, KCCA in 1965, LTVCA in 1961 Municipalities have representatives on the Board of Directors Board sets overall policy direction: - Responsive to local issues and concerns - Meet on a monthly basis - Day to day operations by staff within the overall policy set by the Board Municipal representation is calculated on the basis of population * Outlet of Upper Thames River Watershed Headwaters for Kettle Creek and Lower Thames 4 What We Do: 1. Protect life and property fror flood and erosion. 2. Protect and enhance water qua I ity . 3. Protect and manage natura areas. 1. Protect Life and Property from Flood and Erosion Dams and Dykes- Fanshawe Dam, Wildwood Dam, Pittock Dam, West London Dykes, etc. Have protected London from what would have been devastating floods for over 50 years 6 significant flood disasters averted > $100 million in structure replacement value on-going need for capital maintenance, repair and adaptation to new standards resulting from climate 5 1. Protect Life and Property from Flood and Erosion (continued) Keeping people out of harm’s way- Flood plain, erosion and shoreline regulations * Protect people and property up to the 1 :250year flood event Flood forecasting and warning * Education Programs Climate Change research 2. Protect and Enhance Water Quality I Monitoring- -200 sites annually (chemistry, bacteria, benthics, fish, groundwater) ReDort Cards- Summaw of overall watershed health I 6 Water Diversion (116) Wellhead Protection (31 Well Decommissioning (409) Septic Systems Erosion Control (403) Fuel 8 Chemical Storage (35) Nutrient Management Plana (7 12. Protect and Enhance Water Quality (cont'd) I I Tree Plantina"\ (combined >250.000trees Plantedhear) I - I 7 ~ 3. Protect and Manage Natural Areas 3. Protect and Manage Natural Areas (cont’d) UTRCA manages 7 of London’s ESA’s under agreement with the City- 8 4. Provide Outdoor Recreation 45 Conservation Areas available Serviced campgrounds (e.g., Fanshawe, Wildwood, Lake Whittaker) Day use areas, trails, boating, fishing, biking > '/z million visitors annually Economic spin-offs W~.nwmNVw. Kettle Creek ---Conlo,..ll*" *"I 9 Board of Directors Conservation No. of Board No. of London Authoritv members Members 9 Governed by individual Boards of Directors LTVCA 12 1 Members are appointed by UTRCA 15 I 4 municipalities .Autonomous body with levy powers 10 Conservation Authority Budgets London's Share= $2.8 million Questions? 11 .