Conservation Authorities Act Review

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1 Conservation Authorities Act Review What it is: As a first step, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has developed a Discussion Paper which is posted on the provincial government s Environmental Bill Registry for a 90 day period. The Discussion Paper can be viewed by going to the following link and searching for registry number The purpose of the Discussion Paper is to identify opportunities to improve the existing legislative, regulatory and policy framework that currently governs conservation authorities and the programs and services they deliver on behalf of the province, municipalities, and others. The discussion paper focuses on three key areas: Governance, funding mechanisms and roles and responsibilities. This review of the Conservation Authorities Act provides an opportunity for Conservation Authorities to engage the Province in discussions about the larger relationship between CAs and the Province, as suggested in Conservation Ontario s 2012 Whitepaper. Key Priorities of Conservation Authorities: 1. Confirm the current Conservation Authority Mandate as outlined in the Conservation Authorities Act which is to undertake watershed-based programs for the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources. 2. Formalize and expand the CA working relationships across Ontario provincial ministries in order to capitalize on the important contributions of CA programs and services, and to more widely leverage and support Conservation Authority efforts in local watersheds. 3. Discuss the governance model in relation to the funding model. 4. Sustainable provincial funding formula that captures and reflects the actual range of Conservation Authority programs and services that support multiple provincial objectives. Priorities for Reviewing the Conservation Authorities Act to Reflect the Realities of Today: 1. Conservation Authority activities around Ontario s natural resources have changed significantly over the years in response to increasing challenges to our water and land resources.

2 Stresses such as climate change, rapid growth, and changing land uses significantly challenge the ability of our natural ecosystems to support economic growth, a sustainable environment, and the lifestyles and health of residents. 2. Conservation Authorities are recognized for their watershed management, science-based expertise and for being able to adapt to changing conditions. Sustainable provincial funding would ensure greater consistency and continuation of programs. 3. Conservation Authority programs contribute significantly to addressing key provincial priorities including: climate change, Great Lakes, urbanization and growth, healthy people and a strong economy. 4. A more streamlined approach to environmental management is needed in Ontario and this will be achieved through a more integrated working relationship between Conservation Authorities and the Province. Conservation Authorities Recommendations to MNRF: ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RECOMMENDATION: The current Conservation Authority mandate, as outlined in sections 20 and 21 of the Conservation Authorities Act, remains relevant today, enables integrated watershed management and should be confirmed through a Provincial Directive. CONTEXT: The legislation provides a broad mandate and suite of responsibilities which empower Conservation Authorities to set local programs and priorities in collaboration with member municipalities, government ministries and partners. THE BENEFIT: Confirmation of this mandate recognizes the need for an integrated watershed management approach which looks at the watershed as a system involving natural resources, people and the economy as elements that need to be taken into account in developing solutions. This approach offers a unique opportunity for the Province to leverage local expertise and resources and fosters innovation. LOCAL EXAMPLES: Preparation of the Mississippi River Water Management Plan (MRWMP) was mandated by the Minister of Natural Resources and approved in The MRWMP provided an important opportunity for the Province, local stakeholders and the conservation authority to collaborate on defining a water level and flow management regime for the Mississippi River. Through the planning process, stakeholders identified important local issues while the conservation authority was able to provide the data, watershed knowledge and technical expertise to develop the plan. GOVERNANCE #1 RECOMMENDATION: Conservation Authorities and the Province of Ontario need to formalize and expand their working relationships across ministries in order to acknowledge the important contributions of CA programs and services, and to more widely support

3 Conservation Authority efforts which benefit local Ontario watersheds. An integrated watershed management approach to environmental management that delivers local program needs while meeting cross-ministry science, policy, and legislative objectives is an efficient service delivery model. CONTEXT: MNRF has identified the fundamental provincial role for CAs to be water related natural hazard prevention and management and includes flood and erosion control. MNRF transfer payments were adjusted according to the new provincial vision in the mid-1990s. Over the past ten years, CAs relationship to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) has broadened encompassing source protection, monitoring & reporting, Great Lakes protection and climate change adaptation activities. These initiatives have recognized the significant contribution of a watershed management approach for integration of water quantity and water quality issues for greater environmental and economic benefit. THE BENEFIT: Re-aligning the Conservation Authority Provincial Government relationships would ensure continuation of the multiple benefits provided by conservation authority programs and services across ministries. LOCAL EXAMPLES: The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan (2014) was mandated by the MOECC under the Clean water Act. Preparation of the Source Protection Plan relied on data collected by the conservation authority through a variety of provincial and local monitoring programs and further supported through information and analysis completed by the conservation authority for the MRWMP and Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments. Integrating data and science at the local watershed level to address multiple provincial objectives is more efficient and effective than addressing issues individually. GOVERNANCE #2 RECOMMENDATION: The Governance model should be discussed in the context of the funding model. Assuming more and continued provincial interest in integrated watershed management and funding then provincial representatives/appointees on the CA Boards may have merit. Another approach may be not to focus on restructuring the Conservation Authority Board membership where fiduciary responsibilities rest but on creating an opportunity for broader stakeholder involvement through, for example, Watershed Advisory Committees. CONTEXT: Conservation Authorities are nonprofit organizations, each with their own Board of Directors with members appointed by local municipalities. THE BENEFIT: Enabling broader stakeholder input to decisions taking place around local natural resources management is a critical component of integrated watershed management. LOCAL EXAMPLES: Examples of broader stakeholder involvement in natural resources planning and management include the MRWMP Standing Advisory Committee, Lake Plan(s)

4 being prepared by local lake associations such as Mississippi Lake and Canonto Lake and the more formal Source Protection Committee. FUNDING RECOMMENDATION: Sustainable funding is critical for effective integrated watershed management that supports multiple provincial objectives. The sustainable funding formula should reflect multi-ministry benefits (i.e. not just MNRF) and take into account the local ability to pay. Recognizing the provincial deficit and the likely need for a new source of provincial revenue, consideration should be given to use of carbon pricing revenues to support growth planning and climate change mitigation and adaptation activities of CAs. CONTEXT: The funding partnership between the Province and municipalities has undergone many changes over time. It has gravitated from a 50/50 partnership to a point where, today, Conservation Authorities derive the majority of their budgets from local municipalities through the levy process defined in Ontario Regulation 670/00 and enabled through Section 27(16). The funding inequity for Conservation Authority programs accounts for the financial variability in Conservation Authority capacity to deliver on existing and any additional Provincial priorities unless they are funded. THE BENEFIT: A more formalized, expanded sustainable funding formula for Conservation Authorities would address the varying capacities of Conservation Authorities to implement provincial priorities. The Province is able to take advantage of the Conservation Authorities ability to leverage revenues from all levels of government and others. It would also enable a more streamlined approach among the Province, municipalities and Conservation Authorities to watershed management within Ontario s watersheds. Better funded and more consistent Conservation Authority watershed management programs around both water and land resources allow us to address deteriorating ecological conditions in a more integrated fashion. LOCAL EXAMPLES: In 1992, MNRF contributed approximately 52% of MVCA expenditures while municipalities contributed 33%. In 2015 MNRF will contribute approximately 6% while the municipalities contribute 73%. The Big Picture-We All Have a Stake in This: Conservation Authorities partner with municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as landowners and other groups, to deliver watershed-based natural resource programs. In 2013, Ontario s 36 Conservation Authorities delivered watershed management programs and services totaling approximately $290 million through more than 3,600 full time and seasonal, contract, and part time staff. Over 90% of Ontario s population lives in a Conservation Authority watershed. Conservation Authorities effectively leverage resources of other partners to deliver provincial priorities more effectively.

5 Integrated Watershed Management 101: Conservation Authorities have identified an integrated watershed management approach as the most efficient and effective way to manage issues around water and related resources while providing stakeholders with timely and meaningful opportunities to participate in decision making processes that will ultimately affect their quality of life. The watershed management perspective provides an effective frame of reference for integration of provincial and federal policy, and science, into local decision-making ensuring that natural resources and water, in particular, is sustainable for all economic, social, and environmental uses in our watersheds and managed to avoid future flood damages. Conditions in Ontario s watersheds reflect the escalating impacts of a variety of simultaneous issues: climate change, rapid urbanization, and degrading Great Lakes water quality all of which influence our economy, environment and our own well-being. A more holistic and collaborative watershed management approach between Conservation Authorities and the Province of Ontario would enable us to address these issues more effectively and result in a more streamlined approach to environmental management in Ontario. Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is the process of managing human activities and natural resources on a watershed basis, taking into account, social, economic and environmental issues, as well as community interests in order to manage water resources sustainably. Through IWM, all community interests work together to identify what issues and actions are impacting the watershed s resources, and then map out different strategies and plans to address those issues. These plans and strategies are implemented, monitored, reported on, and updated on a regular basis in order to adapt to changing land uses, new or increasing stressors, new information, or different management approaches. IWM helps us to focus on priorities and link strategies and actions leading to smarter, science-based decisions that ensure a long and healthy future. An IWM approach would support: Improved water quality & quantity Flood and erosion management Resilient biodiversity and habitats Sustainable economic and recreation opportunities Improved quality of life and neighbourhood desirability Greater ability for Ontario s watersheds to adapt to the impacts of climate change, urbanization and other stressors. STAKEHOLDER INPUT: To be successful, IWM requires collaborations and involvement of a wide variety of community interests and water users including municipalities, businesses, residents, agencies and landowners. They decide on the priority issues that need to be addressed, help to set goals, decide on what actions to take and implement locally.

6 What You Can Do: Respond to the EBR by the October 19 th deadline and encourage others to do the same. For more information or to share your views and help shape MVCA programs, please contact: Paul Lehman General Manager ext. 223 Shannon Gutoskie Community Relations Coordinator ext. 225

7 ADDING VALUE How Conservation Authorities support provincial priorities Climate change Local adaptation strategies such as green infrastructure, urban and rural stormwater management, tree planting Flood management programs to address climate change Data collection, monitoring, modelling and research Healthy Great Lakes Rural stewardship, urban and rural stormwater management, nutrient management, green infrastructure and other programs reduce nutrient impact on Great Lakes Great Lakes Guardian Fund projects Data collection, monitoring, modelling and research Growth and urbanization Conservation Authorities Act Section 28 regulations control development in and near wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes and Great Lake shorelines Advice to municipalities to ensure development is compatible with a healthy and sustainable environment and consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and provincial plans (e.g. Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe) Flood warning and protection $2.7 billion worth of public infrastructure including more than 900 dams, dikes, channels and erosion control structures Floodplain mapping, flood monitoring and warning systems to protect lives and properties Flood damage reduced $100 million annually Conservation Ontario 120 Bayview Parkway Newmarket, ON L3Y 3W conservationontario.ca

8 ADDING VALUE How Conservation Authorities support provincial priorities Natural heritage and biodiversity 146,000 hectares of natural land protected through CA ownership Tree planting, forest management, river habitat and wetland protection and improvements Support provincial efforts to protect Species at Risk and manage Invasive Species Recreation, health and tourism 250 Conservation Areas attracting 6.8 million visitors annually 2,500 kilometres of trails connecting people to nature Education Close to 50 outdoor education facilities serving more than 400,000 students annually at 3,800 schools in partnership with 50 of the province s 72 district school boards Partners in Water Festivals: fun, interactive way for kids to to learn about water issues Partners in Specialist High Skills Major Program Water quality Implementing the Clean Water Act for drinking water source protection Stewardship programs protect water quality on farm and rural land Water supplies Implement Low Water Response Program during dry conditions Water budgets and other research guide informed decisions on municipal water supplies Some CAs operate reservoirs used to maintain river flows in summer and fall Monitoring and reporting Partner in Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network and Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network, Hydrometric Network and others CA Watershed Report Cards provide an overview of watershed health Conservation Authorities are proud to work with these ministries: Natural Resources & Forestry, Environment & Climate Change, Municipal Affairs & Housing, Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, Economic Development, Employment & Infrastructure, Health, Tourism Culture & Sport, Education, Northern Development & Mines

9 Working Together Protecting Natural Resources & Their Functions Water and related natural resources have value for our economy, the environment and for people, generally. Our activities on the land impact the health and sustainability of natural resources and can threaten how much water we have available as well as how well we can adapt to the impacts of climate change. The best way to protect resources is on a watershed basis using integrated watershed management. This approach allows us to address multiple issues and objectives; and enables us to plan within a very complex and uncertain environment. Integrated Watershed Management is the process of managing human activities and natural resources on a watershed basis, taking into account, social, economic and environmental issues, as well as community interests in order to manage water resources sustainably. Integrated Watershed Management Provides Multiple Benefits Through integrated watershed management (IWM), all community interests work together to identify what issues and actions are impacting the watershed s resources, and then map out different strategies and plans to address those issues. These plans and strategies are implemented, monitored, reported on, and updated on a regular basis in order to adapt to changing land uses, new or increasing stressors, new information, or different management approaches. IWM helps us to focus on priorities and link strategies and actions leading to smarter, science-based decisions that ensure a long and healthy future. An IWM approach would support: A watershed is an area of land that catches rain and snow, and drains or seeps into groundwater, a marsh, stream, river, or lake. Improved water quality & quantity Flood and erosion management, Resilient biodiversity and habitats, Sustainable economic and recreation opportunities, Improved quality of life and neighbourhood desirability, Greater ability for Ontario s watersheds to adapt to the impacts of climate change, urbanization and other stressors. WATERSHED CONNECTIONS What we do in our watershed impacts how much water we have and how well our natural environment can help us adapt to climate change impacts. A watershed is an ecosystem with interacting natural systems such as water, plants, animals wetlands, moraines, and forests. Our activities impact the quality and quantity of surface water, groundwater and other natural resources in the watershed. Upstream activities influence river flows and water quality downstream. Surface and groundwater systems have a limited tolerance for stress, and long term problems can develop that are costly and difficult to fix.

10 Stakeholder Input To be successful, IWM requires collaborations and involvement of a wide variety of community interests and water users including municipalities, businesses, residents, agencies and landowners. They decide on the priority issues that need to be addressed, help to set goals, decide on what actions to take and implement locally. Each Strategy & Plan is developed, implemented, monitored and updated through a cyclical process which keeps it up to date and responsive to local needs. All of the Strategies and Plans are developed in relation to each other and to the overall watershed conditions, local land uses, and specific issues. Watershed Source Protection Plan Natural Heritage Strategy Flood Management Plan Low Water Strategy Fisheries Management Plan Shoreline Management Plan Others This material was produced by Conservation Ontario (2012)