NVCA, New Tec in phosphorus offset program

NVCA highlights release – January 30 2013

The Board authorized NVCA staff to enter into a phosphorous management agreement with the Town of New Tecumseth. The agreement will see the NVCA deliver a $950,000 Rural Phosphorus Offset Program with local landowners, to offset increased phosphorous from the Tottenham Wastewater Treatment Plant over the three-year period from 2013 to 2015.

The Ministry of the Environment has endorsed the plan, submitted by the Town of New Tecumseth, to expand the capacity of the Tottenham Waste Water Treatment Plant in order to address anticipated new urban development. The NVCA worked with the Town to develop the plan designed to eliminate 156 kg per year of phosphorus from the Innisfil Creek sub-watershed, enabling the development to proceed while cost-effectively protecting the water quality of Innisfil Creek and Wasaga Beach, located downstream. As part of the agreement, the NVCA would receive $70,000 per year to staff and administer the project, while the balance of the funding – up to $740,000 – would be targeted directly to phosphorous reduction projects with local rural landowners.

BOARD APPROVES PLANNING STREAMLINING AGREEMENT WITH TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH

The Board approved the NVCA and Town of Wasaga Beach Partnership Agreement dated January 2013, to be signed by Chair Nina Bifolchi and CAO/Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Wilson. The NVCA has continuously sought opportunities to create such agreements with its member municipalities, which help ensure understanding of the planning and regulatory services that the NVCA provides to each municipality and its residents. This latest agreement is intended to promote streamlining of the plan review process – including enhancing communications and issue resolution – between the NVCA and the Town of Wasaga Beach.

THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS WELCOMED; RETIRING MEMBERS CELEBRATED

Arif Khan representing the City of Barrie and Mel Coutance and Marty Lancaster representing Oro-Medonte were welcomed to the NVCA as the newest Board members. Retiring representatives Brian Jackson (City of Barrie) and Ralph Hough (Oro-Medonte) were thanked for their years of service on the NVCA Board.

NVCA COLLABORATES ON 13 PROJECT PROPOSALS TO ENVIRONMENT CANADA FOR CLEAN-UP FUNDING CONSIDERATION

On January 7, 2013, Environment Canada released a call for proposals to implement the renewed $29 million Lake Simcoe South-Eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund (LSGBCUF). NVCA staff worked with numerous partners – including other CAs, municipalities, environmental associations and educational institutions – and developed and/or collaborated on 13 project proposals submitted by the January 25 deadline. The Board declared its support for these applications, and once Environment Canada announces its decision staff will review any accepted proposals with the Board in detail.

 

NVCA BACKS FEDERAL PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL REQUESTING FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GRANTS TO UPGRADE PRIVATE SEPTICS

The Board voted in favour of the NVCA declaring its support of Federal Private Members Motion (M-400), which asks that the federal government, in conjunction with the province, study the establishment of a financial support program to assist landowners in the timely repair/replacement of malfunctioning private on-site wastewater treatment systems.

Clean surface and groundwater are essential for social, ecological and economic reasons, including providing safe water for drinking and recreation. It has been established that malfunctioning septic systems pose a significant threat to public health and water quality, and the NVCA’s experience with similar grant programs has shown that incentive grants to address such threats are successful in encouraging voluntary repair or replacement by landowners.

BARTRAM WOODLANDS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO FORESTRY PROGRAM

The NVCA has retained the services of Bartram Woodlands to provide tree planting and spraying services for the 2013 spring tree planting season.

MIDHURST RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS CONCERNS ABOUT NEW DEVELOPMENT

Paul Fleming, President of the Midhurst Ratepayers Association, made a deputation to the Board regarding “the potential impact the Midhurst Secondary Plan will have on the Minesing Wetlands and the Nottawasaga River.”