THE ROLE OF CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LAKES AND RIVERS IN THE KAWARTHA S. State of the Lakes Workshop October 27, 2008

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1 THE ROLE OF CONSERVATION AUTHORITIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LAKES AND RIVERS IN THE KAWARTHA S State of the Lakes Workshop October 27, 2008

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3 Conservation Authority Jurisdiction

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5 Conservation Authority Mandate undertake programs to further the conservation, restoration, management and development of renewable natural resources Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter C27 Sections 20 and 21

6 CA Role in Management of Kawartha Lakes and Rivers Integrated Water Resources Mgmt. Drinking Water Source Protection Flood Warning and Flood Forecasting Land Use Planning and Regulation Watershed and Subwatershed Plans Watershed Health Monitoring Low Flow Management Watershed Stewardship Conservation Lands

7 Integrated Water Resources Management The process of promoting the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. World Health Organization

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9 Drinking Water Source Protection Water Clean Water Act Source Protection Planning Process Intake Protection Zones Wellhead Protection Areas Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network

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14 Flood Warning and Flood Forecasting ORCA maintains a system that includes: Flow gauges Rain gauges Snow surveys Data from other sources (Environment Canada, TSW, Surface Water Monitoring Centre) Works with municipalities as emergency response/preparedness is a municipal responsibility

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16 Land Use Planning and Regulations Review applications under the Planning Act with regard for natural heritage/hazards Mandated by Province to uphold natural hazards/heritage policies Provide advice on natural heritage issues Inter-agency collaboration and dialogue Education and Information Advice to municipalities

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19 Watershed Health Monitoring Water quality monitoring Marsh Monitoring (birds and amphibians) Fisheries management Species at Risk Publications and Information

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21 Kawartha Conservation Watershed Health Monitoring Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan Nonquon River Watershed Plan Kawartha Water Watch Publications and Information

22 Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan Works toward the long-term environmental health and sustainability of the lake and its tributaries steering committee ( 8-12 representatives from governments, agencies, volunteers from community organizations and local residents) Identifies and quantifies the factors affecting the health of a lake and its tributaries Create an Action Plan based on scientific research to address the priority factors impacting a lake and its tributaries Provides the basis for investing public dollars wisely

23 Goals of the Lake Scugog Environmental Management Plan To address long term water quality and habitat concerns in the lake and its tributaries To address the long term proliferation of aquatic plant growth by decreasing the amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen entering the lake To develop and implement an Action Plan, with long term and short term activities outreach / education, urban infrastructure improvements, and rural land stewardship projects that focus on identified problem areas.

24 The Future of Lake Management Plannting in the Kawartha s Abundant, clean water is the lifeblood of the Kawarthas, essential for our quality of life, health, well being and continued prosperity. Through a partnership between governments, agencies and community representatives, Lake Environmental Management Planning can secure the longterm environmental health and sustainability of our rivers and lakes.

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26 Watershed Stewardship Forest Management Tree Planting Shoreline Restoration/Naturalization Habitat Enhancement Publications and Information Blue Canoe

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28 Conservation Lands CA s own over 12,000 acres of land in the Kawartha s include wetlands, shorelines, floodplains, ANSI s, ESA s, Oak Ridges Moraine, groundwater recharge areas and significant habitat throughout the watershed Provide public access to Kawartha Lakes, protect valuable shorelines, aquatic and terrestrial habitat

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30 Emerging Issues in the Kawartha Lakes Region Increasing pressures on water resources (ground and surface, locally and globally) Increasing development in the Kawartha Lakes region pressure to put formerly retired marginal land into production The growing need for ongoing science based information for use in planning decisions.

31 Everyone lives downst from somebody

32 Thank you Otonabee Conservation Kawartha Conservation