Oro-Medonte passes controversial agreement

Role of conservation authority centre of uproar
By NATHAN TAYLOR Orillia PACKET & TIMES September 9 2010
Attempts to delay approval of an agreement between Oro-Medonte Township and its environmental partners didn’t work at Wednesday’s council meeting. Arguing there was little time for public input, residents and one councillor tried to defer a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the township, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA). The MOU is meant to outline the programs and services the NVCA and SSEA provide in the township.
The draft MOU and complete staff report was posted to the township website the day before the meeting, though there have been a number of meetings held in recent years.
Some residents suggested the township was working toward eventually cutting ties with the NVCA altogether.
“I’m very distressed as a citizen of this township to see the apparent contention and divisiveness between the council and the conservation authority. You need all the expertise and legislative clout… that conservation authorities have,” said Ric Symmes, one of four people to address council on the matter. “I’m very concerned it’s a wedge to push the NVCA out altogether.”
Councillors dismissed that charge, and Coun. Mel Coutanche, a former member of the NVCA board, assured “the environmental protection will get done.” He said the MOU is about accountability and identifying services that are provided and associated costs.
Another resident, Ted Beaton, also raised concern, saying, “It’s mandatory every area has one conservation authority.”
After the first three speakers, Mayor Harry Hughes reluctantly allowed Tay Township resident Michael Starr to speak, but not before telling the man — wearing a “FedUp” T-shirt — that he wished he “would’ve chosen to wear more suitable attire to address council.”
Starr expressed concern over the fact council didn’t allow scheduled deputations on the matter after a public meeting in May.
Hughes has said there has been a lot of time for the public to address council.
The residents weren’t the only ones who felt there wasn’t enough time to go over the details of the MOU. Coun. Sandy Agnew — the only councillor to vote against passing the document — had “some serious problems” with it.
“It’s very complicated. It’s going to be a major headache for staff (at budget time),” Agnew said. “This draft MOU is far too open-ended and speculative to be considered.”
Agnew said the “next logical step” would be for the township to discontinue its agreement with the SSEA, since a conservation authority — which has legislative authority — is already in the township.
“That work (of the SSEA) is pretty much redundant,” Agnew said.
He then put forward a motion to defer the matter until the next term of council. No one seconded the motion and it was therefore defeated.
That sparked boos and jeers from members of the audience in the packed council chamber.
The MOU is the long-awaited result of the NVCA extending its jurisdiction into the SSEA watershed in 2003. The desire to craft an MOU was identified at that time. Regulation, enforcement and planning review in the SSEA will still be completed by the NVCA under the new agreement.
The MOU requires the approval of both the NVCA and SSEA, which are expected to vote on it at meetings in September