Update for Meaford Council on Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and its Programs March 20, 2017 1 Purpose • To update Meaford Council on the work of the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) • This update will compliment the Service Delivery Review work by Meaford staff • To highlight GSCA’s priorities for 2017 • To provide an opportunity for Council Members to meet new CAO Sonya Skinner, ask questions and make suggestions. 2 What is a Conservation Authority? Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities: • Are created under the Conservation Authorities Act as “…a program designed to further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources other than gas, oil, coal and minerals.” • Are governed by a Board of Directors from the eight watershed municipalities. Meaford’s representatives on GSCA’s Board are: • Jaden Calvert • Harley Greenfield 3 Grey Sauble Conservation Authority Jurisdictions Grey Sauble’s Mission Statement: In partnership with stakeholders of the watershed, to promote and undertake sustainable management of renewable natural resources and to provide responsible leadership to enhance bio-diversity and environmental awareness. Vision Statement: A healthy watershed environment in balance with the needs of society. Drinking Water Source Protection Mission Statement: Providing leadership to engage the entire community in developing comprehensive, responsible solutions to protect our water resources. Municipality of Meaford Watersheds 1. Sydenham River 2. Bothwell Creek 3. Keefer Creek 4. Waterton Creek 5. Johnson Creek 6. Centreville Creek 7. Bighead River 8. Beaver River Tributaries 5 2017 Budget: $3.153 M The Municipality of Meaford Contributes: 1. $176,349 through the Municipal Levy 2. $6,000 of the Self Generated Funds (for Source Water Risk Management Plans) 3. The public’s fees contribute Self Generated Funds (from Natural Heritage reviews to support Meaford’s Planning approvals, per our MOU). 6 GSCA’s Programs and Desired Outcomes 7 Programs Flood Forecasting and Warning • Proactive high and low water info & coordinated response to flood emergencies • The 2017 Meaford contacts are the Fire Chief, Foreperson, Emergency Management Coord and Roads Superintendent Watershed Monitoring • GSCA develops the best available information on our water quality and Anyone can check quantity monitoring • Preparing for the 5-year update of Watershed Report Card in 2018, scoring information at forest cover, water quality and wetlands greysauble.on.ca 8 Programs Dams – Flood Control, Non-Flood and Recreation • Managed 13 dams, including two at Bognor Wetland • Provincial funding is no longer available for new erosion control projects. Ice Management Planning and Funding • Since the mid 1990’s MNRF’s funding to GSCA has been frozen at $71K per year. • Up to $9K of this funding can subsidize incurred preventative ice management costs • Municipalities with a current ice management plan can apply, and GSCA seeks to fairly allocate funding across the watershed 9 Programs Regulations and Planning Under the Planning Act: - CAs are delegated responsibility by MNRF for commenting on Natural Hazards: Floodplains, Shorelines, Erosion prone lands, Unstable soils - Under MOUs, many CAs provide comments and guidance to municipalities for Natural Heritage: • Significant fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands, woodlands and valleylands • Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest • Threatened and Endangered Species Under the Conservation Authorities Act: GSCA has Regulation 151/06, requiring permits for Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses. In 2016 across watershed GSCA commented on or delivered over 800 planning applications & permits Supporting Meaford’s Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Update in 2017 10 Navigating the Process DRAFT • GSCA wants to better explain GSCA’s regulatory requirements to the public. • An initial draft flow chart outlines the steps for building, development, and/or property transaction decisions, and emphasizes pre- consultation with the Municipality, the local Conservation Authority, and possibly the Niagara Escarpment Commission In 2017 GSCA will meet with municipal planners and planners from both Grey and Bruce County to seek to develop unified public messaging 11 11 Programs Source Water Protection Our Source Protection Plan (SPP) went into effect in July 2016 • Includes Events-based Area policies to address significant drinking water threats from fuel storage facilities • GSCA is working with municipal staff on implementing the SPP, Official Plan/Zoning By-Law updates and reporting requirements 12 Programs Risk Management Plans Municipalities are accountable for implementing “Part IV” responsibilities including Risk Management Plans (RMP) • GSCA is under contract with 13 municipalities to deliver Part IV responsibilities, including Meaford Risk Management Activities include: • Completion of threats verification work for 17 properties • Conducted 5 site visits in 2016, including a review of fuel storage at the drinking water plant • Anticipate the need to negotiate 7 Risk Management Plans (2- 3 per year) • Continue to conduct screenings of planning applications 13 Programs Lands and Facilities A Community Partner with strong links to the green spaces, affordable activities and the excellent quality of life in Meaford: • Ainslie Woods Conservation Area – 10.5 ha (26 acres) • Public Beach with pavilion • Fishing and Picnics • Hibou Conservation Area – 108 ha (267 acres) • Public Beach with pavilion • Hiking and Boardwalks – 5km • Massie Hills Management Area – 230 ha (568 acres) • Set Cross Country Ski trails (shared with county land) • Hiking – about 5km • Bognor Marsh Management Area – 668 ha (1,651 acres) • Hiking 12.9km and 800m of Boardwalks • Ducks Unlimited wildlife reservoir and viewing area • Education Pavilion In 2017 GSCA will improve public signage, deliver a Lands Management Plan for West Rocks, and a plan to update all Management Plans 14 Programs Forestry & Species • Forest Management of over 16,000 acres, or about 56% of GSCA’s lands (not Nature Preserves) • Forests have FSC Certification and sustainable approaches support habitat, species, income, economic development • Implementing “Forest Management Awareness Campaign” & updating Forest Management Plan Grey Bruce Forestry Service • A forestry service program for private landowners, provided jointly with Saugeen Conservation Butternut • Opportunity to work together on living snow fences (with local municipalities and/or Counties) 15 Programs GIS & Information Management, Information Technology • Shared low to no cost GIS data, maps and photos • Continuing 3D elevation mapping • GSCA provides mapping for Zoning By-laws Bighead River & 7th Line Crossing 16 Programs Conservation Information, Education & Outreach • Children’s day camp • Wildwater Safety (Grades 4 and 5) • Trees of the World (Grade 3) • Works with tourism leads in local municipalities and counties • Liaised with Meaford Museum on sign development in John Muir Trail Kiosks • Participated in “Big Red Chairs” at Bognor Marsh In 2016 GSCA attracted 95,800 visitors to properties like Inglis Falls, Hibou, Bognor March, Ainsley Woods, Indian Falls, Jones Falls, Eugenia Falls, Old Baldy, Bruce’s Caves & Spirit Rock. ‘Extraordinary Tree’ initiative was reported by CBC and European media 17 GSCA’s 2017 Priorities Actions and the Call to Action • Initiate strategic plan update • Stewardship Pilot to address water quality identified in 2013 Watershed Report Card and Source Protection and invasive species and species at risk Service Excellence • Plain language public regulatory requirements, incorporating Source Protection • “Navigating the Process” work proposed with municipalities and the County • Improved regulatory mapping and public signage Financial and HR Sustainability • New funding sources and capital assets planning • Successors for key positions 18 Questions or Suggestions? 19 APPENDIX Administration Centre at Inglis Falls 20 Other Past and Ongoing Partnerships in the Municipality of Meaford • Beautiful Joe Conservation Area / Memorial Park, St. Vincent Lookout, Irish Mountain Lookout • Previously were GSCA properties that were given to the Municipality in 1995-97 • Trout Hollow Trail • About one quarter is on GSCA’s Bighead River Conservation Area land • Flood Plain Projects • In the late 1980’s Grey Sauble removed the Meaford Curling Club and Georgian Bay Telephone buildings from the floodplain of the Bighead River • Friends of Hibou is a GSCA Committee, supporting green spaces and quality of life • Bruce Trail - Extensive sections of the trail are on GSCA lands • Eco–Fair Participant, including trees and display at Saturday Event 21 Grey Sauble Conservation Organizational Chart 22 2017 Levy by Municipality 23.