LAND FOR CONSERVATION LAND FOR CONSERVATION: SPENCER CREEK CONSERVATION AUTHORITY SCHEMES AND LAND ACQUISITION (1958-1971) By WAYNE TERRYBERRY, B.A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts McMaster University © Copyright by Wayne Terryberry, December 2016 McMaster University MASTER OF ARTS (2016) Hamilton, Ontario (History) TITLE: Land for Conservation – Spencer Creek Conservation Authority Schemes and Land Acquisition AUTHOR: Wayne Terryberry B.A. (McMaster University) SUPERVISOR: Dr. John Weaver NUMBER OF PAGES: 211 ABSTRACT The Conservation Authorities Act was passed by the Ontario Provincial legislature in 1946 to further the “conservation, restoration, development and development of natural resources other than gas, oil, coal and minerals.” On 8 May 1958, Ontario’s 25th conservation authority was established on the watershed of Spencer Creek near Hamilton. The Spencer Creek Conservation Authority (SCCA) recognized that in order to acquire the necessary lands for conservation it was in a race with developers and urban sprawl. An aggressive land acquisition programme was initiated by the SCCA (1958-1966) and continued by its successor, the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority. The success of this programme from 1958-1971 created a green framework for the region, with many of our most popular and ecological important conservation areas acquired during this period, including: Dundas Valley, Christie Lake, Valens, Spencer Gorge, Beverly Swamp, and Summit Bog. However, acquisition of such a vast acreage of conservation land doesn't just happen by desire, it involves many operational factors. Available funding, administrative policies, land owner engagement, knowledge of the property market, and public and political support were all central aspects of this land acquisition program. This research paper examines these inter-related factors and outlines the many challenges and initiatives that led to the acquisition of over 3,300 acres of land for conservation. i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A number of people have made this thesis possible. I would first like to thank my supervisor, John Weaver, for the many hours spent facilitating my research and guiding my writing over the past year. He keep me focussed, inspired and excited about my research and writing. My first graduate course was with John several years ago and the experience was so engaging that I have been interested in academic research ever since. Considerable thanks are also due to Richard Harris and Ken Cruikshank who were involved in my thesis examination. Their feedback and edits were invaluable. I would like to give special mention to Wendy Benedetti, the Department of History Graduate Programs Administrative Assistant. Wendy’s guidance and support throughout my graduate work was generous, helpful and greatly appreciated. I don’t think I would have completed my MA without her help. The assistance of Krupesh Patel, Rebecca Jahns and Tom Omorean was invaluable in the creation of the paper’s maps and tables seen in this thesis. Gord Beck, Map Specialist at McMaster University’s Lloyd Reeds Map Collection provided access and advice on maps and aerial photos. Like many other students, I thank Gord for his expertise and assistance. This study is as much about the individuals involved in local conservation, as it is about a conservation authority and its schemes. I was extremely fortunate and honoured to be able to work with two remarkable individuals involved with the Spencer Creek Conservation Authority and the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority. Thomas Beckett was the initial motivation for this research and he continually inspired my work on this project. His recollections and archives were central to the evolution of this thesis and he deserves accolades for his role as a leader in the authority’s formative years. Ben Vanderbrug, HRCA General Manager from 1970 to 2002, provided important background information and helped clarify historical facts. It was wonderful to work with Ben, who I have always admired for his leadership in guiding the authority to the outstanding organization it is today. Obtaining sufficient information to complete this research was only possible with the access, cooperation and enthusiasm provided by staff at the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Chris Firth-Eagland, Scott Peck, Chris Hamilton, Judy Love, Sandy Bell, Lisa Burnside, Mathew Hall, Sandra Winniger and Rick Woodworth provided access to authority documents and maps, and helped with my many questions. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to Jeff Terryberry, Debbie Marinoff-Shupe and Manon Tougas, who helped me with the completion of this thesis in many ways. To all of you noted, I give my most sincere thanks! My greatest appreciation goes to my late mother Beatrice. She made me the individual I am today and supported my education throughout my life. I was asked regularly in her later years: “When are you going to finish your master’s degree.” Of all the inspirations to complete this thesis and my degree, she was the guiding light. Mother, this is for you!! ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. i Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii List of Figures and Tables …………………………………………………………………………………………….….. iv Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 Chapter 1: From Forest to Watershed – Conservation in Ontario ……………………………..….…. 6 Chapter 2: The Establishment of the Spencer Creek Conservation Authority ………………….. 24 Chapter 3: The Upper Watershed – Beverly and Valens ………………………………………..………… 51 Chapter 4: The Middle Watershed – Christie and Greensville ……………………………….……..…. 77 Chapter 5: The Lower Watershed – Dundas Valley ……………………………………………………..…… 118 Chapter 6: Protecting the Niagara Escarpment ……………………………………………………….….…… 147 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………… 175 Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 182 iii LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Table 1: Provincial Conservation Branch - Government ………………………………………..…. 14 Table 2: Population and Membership entitlement – SCCA ………………………………………. 27 Table 3: Spencer Creek Conservation Authority – Municipal Levies 1963 …………..…..... 30 Table 4: 1960 Spencer Creek Conservation Report – Recommendations ….………………. 44 Table 5: Beverly Conservation Area – Land Purchases ……..………………………………..…….. 57 Table 6: Valens Conservation Area – Land Purchases …………………….………………….……… 63 Table 7: Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area – Land Purchases …………………………………..…. 95 Table 8: Crooks Hollow CA and Christie Dam and Reservoir - Land Purchases ………….. 112 Table 9: SCCA and HRCA – Membership, Population and Levies ………………………………. 142 Table 10: Ancaster-Dundas Valley – Land Purchases (to 1972) ……………………….…………. 172 Table 11: Land Acquisition Schemes in Spencer Creek Watershed (to 1971) ……………… Land Acquisition Schemes in Spencer Creek Watershed (to 1971) ………………. 179 Map 1: Spencer Creek Watershed …………………………………………………………………………… 20 Map 2: Spencer Creek Conservation Report - Proposed Conservation Areas …………… 47 Map 3: Beverly Conservation Area – Land Purchases ….…………………………………………… 58 Map 4: Valens Conservation Area (Before Reservoir, 1960) ….…………………………………. 62 Map 5: Valens Conservation Area, 1978 …………….……………………………………………………. 72 Map 6: Crook’s Hollow Conservation Area, 1966 …………….………………………………………. 86 Map 7: Tews Falls Conservation Area, 1966 …………………………………………………………….. 98 Map 8: Plans for Christie dam and reservoir 1960 …………………………………………………… 114 Map 9: Summit Bog area (1968) ……………………………………………………………………………… 128 Map 10: Dundas By-Pass Routes (1967-68) ……………………………………………………………….. 156 Map 11: Dundas Valley Conservation Area ………………………………………………………………… 164 iv Introduction Southern Ontario in the 1930’s and 1940’s was under the strain of destructive resource use and a burgeoning population. Wide areas of the province were suffering from the effects of deforestation and erosion. Lakes and waterways were severely polluted. Worsening spring floods were followed by low summer flows rich with the smell of sewage and industrial waste. Pressure was mounting for the government to do something to safeguard the province’s natural resources and future viability. To address these growing issues, the province took what was then a bold and innovative step. On 13 April 1946, the provincial legislature passed the Conservation Authorities Act enabling municipalities to work together to create a locally-based conservation authority to tackle the resource problems they faced. The conservation authority model recognized the importance of treating all natural resources in a comprehensive manner and focusing conservation and restoration work on a watershed catchment basis. The response from municipalities in Ontario was favourable and quick, with three conservation authorities created in the first year. In May 1958, Ontario’s 25th conservation authority was established for the Spencer Creek watershed near Hamilton. Six municipalities, either wholly or partially within the creek’s watershed, banded together to form the Spencer Creek Conservation Authority (SCCA). The Town of Dundas and the Townships of Beverly, Ancaster, Puslinch, East Flamborough and West Flamborough Conservation Authority saw the importance of cooperatively managing, protecting and restoring the resources of the 263 square-kilometre Spencer Creek watershed. 2 Little writing or research has been done on the history of Ontario’s conservation authorities.