SAUGEEN CONSERVATION Year in Review

Transcription

1 2007 Year in Review 111

2 Our Lands Our Treasures Our Future! Over 21,000 Acres of Natural Treasures Something to be proud of! 112

3 WHAT DO OUR LANDS DO FOR US? A) Recreational Opportunities/ & Impact to the Local Economy 113

4 B) C.O.N.S.E.R.V.A.T.I.O.N 1. Protection of valued resources 2. Protection from change 3. Keeping or protecting something from change, loss or damage 114

5 What s the Bottom Line? In 2007, our Conservation Lands (21,000 acres of parks, wetlands and forests) had a huge impact on the local economy. * Net surplus for the 3 combined campgrounds $50,900! Total visitors to all our parks. 86,535 people / camping season! Local economic impact of visitation at campgrounds (based on Ministry of Tourism formula) Durham (based on 31,875 people) ($1,947,037) S. B. C.A. (based on 28,335 people) ($1,730,700) Brucedale (based on 11,575 people ) ($692,280) 86,535 total people / 2 (children) = 43,267 X $ = $4,326,

6 Conservation and Public Safety 116

7 Setting the Standards for the Rest of the World And Learning From Our Mistakes? 117

8 OUR MANDATE: The prevention of loss of life, property damage and social disruption from flood and erosion processes. 1) FLOOD CONTROL (fixing the problem) 2) FLOOD WARNING (keeping the people safe) 3) ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING (preventing loss of life ) 118

9 1) OUR MANDATE: The prevention of loss of life, property damage and social disruption from flood and erosion processes. Bottom Line Average cost / year (to taxpayers) to maintain capital structures designed to protect loss of life approximately $100,000. These structures protect 1119 buildings, homes and businesses X 4 (per building / structure) = 4,476 people (roughly 5% of the watershed population). 119

10 OUR MANDATE: The prevention of loss of life, property damage and social disruption from flood and erosion processes. 2) Flood Warning Dave Pybus, Manager of Flood Warning and Operations Continuous monitoring of both high water and low water conditions regular inspection and maintenance of gauges the issuance of Flood Bulletins continual updates on flood monitoring programs and specialized equipment 120

11 OUR MANDATE: The prevention of loss of life, property damage and social disruption from flood and erosion processes. 3) Environmental Planning Keeping the People away from the Rivers and the Rivers away from the People. 121

12 ..In so doing 2007 is the first full year for the new provincewide Planning Regulations (called the Development, Interference with Wetlands and Alterations to Shorelines and Watercourses Regulation). 122

13 Staff Review all new development that could be affected by natural hazards and / or affect significant natural heritage features within 1800 square miles of the watershed jurisdiction. 123

14 This involves: Planning Applications * Official Plans and Amendments * Comprehensive Zoning By-laws and Amendments * Severances * Plans of Subdivision and Condominiums * Minor Variances Reports / Plans * Environmental Impact Studies * Site Plans * Stormwater Management / Drainage Plans * Lot Grading Plans * Geotechnical Reports * Floodplain Reports * Engineer s Reports Other * Aggregates Resources Act Applications (pits and quarries) * Municipal Drains (Drainage Act) * Environmental Assessment Act projects (e.g., waste management plans, water systems) * General Inquiries * Property Clearances 124

15 So, How Does It Work? GOOD, SOUND PLANNING (Keeping the People Away from the Rivers and the Rivers Away From the People) BENEFITS ALL OF US BY: + + 1) Preventing Loss of Life, property Damage and tax payers dollars 2) Protecting our Natural Features 3) Preventing the necessity of costly capital works 125

16 Bottom Line: A total of 19 Flood & Erosion Control Structures across the watershed which cost a total of $13,343,445 to protect 1,119 buildings, homes and businesses and approximately 4,500 people. In addition, there is an annual cost of approx. $100,000 in yearly maintenance. 126

17 Grassroots conservation efforts 127

18 On the Ground Conservation Efforts - Working Together to Make It Happen 1 Mount Forest Wetland Sanctuary - work with interest groups, the media and the municipality in developing methods of improving the wetland. Ducks Unlimited is also being consulted in this process. The Town of Mount Forest And Local Interest Groups 128

19 On the Ground Conservation Efforts - Working Together to Make It Happen 2 Pine River Watershed Initiative Network Saugeen Conservation has been pleased to partner with the Pine River Watershed Improvement Network in their efforts to rehabilitate areas of the Pine River watershed. Efforts, to date have included: - livestock fencing - alternative water sources - stream crossings - reforestation of riparian areas - installation of 4 nitrex filters reducing levels of nitrates - public relations in promoting positive conservation practices 129

20 On the Ground Conservation Efforts - Working Together to Make It Happen 3 Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation (focusing on the shoreline issues) Developed the Beach Stewardship Guide for Huron-Kinloss Conducted research on the aggressive Common Reed and tested possible control methods in conjunction with local municipalities Piloted a Coastal Camp for Kids offered in Goderich, Bruce Beach and Kincardine. Due to its popularity, it will expand in

21 On the Ground Conservation Efforts - Working Together to Make It Happen 4 Educating People About the Value of Wetlands 131

22 Testing the Waters of the Watershed 132

23 Testing the Waters! Ground Water and Surface Water Surface Water Samples - taken at 29 different locations across the watershed, monitoring E coli and general chemistry; Ground Water Samples taken at 15 groundwater (23 aquifers) -This network provides notification to municipalities with regard to any water quality issues (there were 8 notices of exceedances in the Ontario Drinking Water Standards fro 2007) 133

24 Testing the Waters! Biomonitoring - insects and other organisms are excellent indicators of our water quality. It s like the canary in the mine situation different sites are sampled across the watershed. 134

25 The Business of Keeping the Watershed Green! 135

26 21 Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program plans approved or upgraded 4 tree marking projects undertaken 136

27 Tree Planting * 20,562 trees planted under the Trees Ontario Foundation * 41,360 trees planted under the regular tree planting program * 94 orders for a total of 49,760 trees over the counter tree sales * 7,800 trees and shrubs sold at the Arbour Day Tree Sale in May * 1,360 landscape trees handled for 13 landowners or municipalities Jim Penner, Manager of Forestry 137

28 Getting the Message Out! Come back! I have something to say!! 138

29 Getting the Word Out! -Brochures -Reports -Signage -Publications -Displays -Fairs / Shows / Seminars -Tourism Information -Program Materials 139

30 SPECIAL EVENTS Raising Public Awareness Brining People to our Parks Fostering a Positive Image Getting the Conservation Message Out Encouraging Public Involvement Promoting Conservation Practices 140

31 Bottom Line 1) Attracted approx. 12,000 visitors over 2007 to special events, raising awareness and profile, from over 90 different communities 2) Between 62 65% of all visitors stated they visited local shops and dined before or after attending functions 3) Brought visitors to: * Saugeen Bluffs C.A. * Durham C. A. * Headquarters C.A. AND SURROUNDING AREAS! 4) Raised roughly $10,000 in

32 Investing in our Future! 142

33 Bottom Line - 7,000 children - - Over 50 different outdoor programs - - Large outdoor component with Bruce Power - - Summer recreation programs - - Children s s water festival (FEE FOR SERVICE) 143

34 Drinking Water Source Protection 144

35 2007 Highlights Don Smith, Project Manager, Drinking Water Source Protection * ongoing presentations to member municipalities and stakeholders about the New Clean Water Act and six related regulations * the appointment of 15 members to the Source Protection Committee * inaugural meeting of the Source Water Protection Committee * finished study on wellheads and intakes for municipal water systems 145

36 Behind the Scenes 146

37 Behind the Scenes 147

38 As Your Local Conservation Authority - it s our job to reduce or minimize the negative ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINTS of the watershed?? 148

39 The BOTTOM, bottom line RETURN 1)21,000 acres of land, protecting prime headwater areas $ Priceless 2)Parks, campgrounds, recreation areas $ 4,326, (annually) 3)Flood Warning System for entire watershed $ ongoing public safety priceless 4)Maintenance of 19 key flood and erosion control structures $ protection of 4,500 watershed residents and their property from flooding and erosion 5)Free Flood Warning Education Program for all watershed schools $ Priceless 6)Surface and Groundwater sampling throughout the watershed $ Priceless 7)Ongoing reforestation of the watershed; average of over 100,000 trees /yr $ Priceless 8) Major events attracting over 10,000 people to the area / yr from over 90 different communities from near and far $ 10,000 - $15,000 9)The education of 7,000 children annually about the natural environment $ Priceless 149

40 The End 150