NVCA directors approve living snow fences, reserve fund increase, business plan

Release from NVCA – June 29 2012 

NVCA TO PLANT LIVING SNOW FENCES WITH DUFFERIN COUNTY AND GRCA

The Board authorized staff to work in partnership with the County of Dufferin and the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) to deliver the Living Snow Fence Program.

 The program developed out of a 2011 partnership between the NVCA and the Ministry of Transportation in which 350 larger potted trees were planted on private land alongside Highway 10 south of Primrose. The County of Dufferin has been working towards implementing a roadside tree planting program with private landowners for the past several years, and expressed interest in a partnership with the NVCA and the GRCA. NVCA staff will be contracted to design and plant the living snow fences as per direction from the County of Dufferin.

 Living snow fences are more cost-effective than traditional snow fences as they are more durable, estimated to perform for up to 80 years. Snow fences can save lives by reducing blowing snow and debris across roadways, thus improving road safety and reducing road closures, road maintenance and salt use. Unlike plastic fencing, living snow fences provide multiple benefits to roadside farms and create wildlife habitat.

BOARD APPROVES INCREASED RESERVE FUND TARGET

Since experiencing a deficit almost 15 years ago, the NVCA has endeavoured to build and maintain adequate reserve funds to cover significant unexpected expenses. This is an important aspect of sound financial management considering the unpredictability and instability of funding sources such as government grants and user fees. Through careful fiscal planning, the NVCA has built reserves of approximately 25% of the 2012 budget.

NVCA staff conducted a survey of Conservation Authority financial reserves to help determine an optimal level of reserve funds. The board reviewed this information and authorized staff to bring forward a 2013 business plan with a reserve target of 25-30% of the overall budget.

NVCA APPROVES 2012-2014 BUSINESS PLAN

A draft three-year business plan was presented to the Board in detail at the March and April meetings for review and input. The final amended plan was approved at the June meeting. The Board also resolved that the business plan for 2013-2015 should be prepared and approved in the fall of 2012, prior to the preparation and approval of the 2013 budget.

The Board also passed a resolution to review the status of the consultant’s recommendations brought forward as a result of the 2010 Planning Program review, including setting implementation priorities.

 NVCA SUPPORTS PROPOSED GREAT LAKES PROTECTION ACT, BILL 100

On June 6, 2012, the Minister of the Environment announced the release of “An Act to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin”, Bill 100, to be known as the Great Lakes Protection Act (GLPA)

The purpose of this Act is to protect and restore the ecological health of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin, and to create opportunities for individuals and communities to become involved in that work.

 Conservation Ontario is coordinating a review of this proposed legislation on behalf of the 36 Conservation Authorities. The board approved a motion for the NVCA to provide its overall general support for the GLPA. NVCA staff will work closely with Conservation Ontario staff in providing a coordinated and detailed review of the proposed legislation – including CA mandate and budget implications – for consideration of the Province, consistent with the Environmental Registry review requirements.

 The Board also passed a motion to ensure that all costs associated with the proposed legislation, including staff labour, would be covered by the Provincial and/or Federal Governments. 

JULY MEETING SCHEDULED

The Chair called for a meeting of the Board to be added to the calendar, to take place on July 27 at 9 a.m., location TBD.