Gayle Wood appointed NVCA CAO
NVCA budget vote deferred until March meeting
Release from Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority of Highlights of Feb. 27 2015 board meeting
The board of directors agreed to defer their deliberation and vote on the final 2015 NVCA budget until the March board meeting. This is to allow all watershed municipalities to finalize budgets, many of which are delayed owing to the 2014 election. The NVCA is seeking a 3% increase in the municipal levy, which amounts to about $61,000. The municipal levy accounts for 42% of the authority’s $4,877,242 draft budget.
Gayle Wood appointed CAO
The board of directors appointed Gayle Wood as the authority’s Chief Administrative Officer until the end of 2016.
Over the past six months, Gayle has served as NVCA’s Interim CAO. During that time, Gayle helped move the NVCA forward on many fronts, particularly related to the authority’s service operation and delivery review process.
The Board is confident that Gayle’s experience and expertise makes her the right choice to lead the NVCA as it continues to implement the recommendations from the operational review and takes action on the goals set forth in the NVCA’s strategic plan.
Member of NVCA Advisory Committees Approved
The board of directors approved the members of authority’s agricultural; human resources; land, education and stewardship; planning and engineering; and finance and administration advisory committees. Listings of the advisory committee members will be made available on the NVCA website (www.nvca.on.ca/Pages/
Strategic plan initiatives approved – business plan to follow
The NVCA’s Strategic Plan for 2014-2018 provides broad goals and objectives under three key directions:
- · Protect, Enhance and Restore
o Protect life and property from natural hazards
o Promote a healthy, sustainable watershed
- · Learn and Discover
o Promote the watershed and the NVCA
o Seek new knowledge and share information
- · Connect
o Connect people with the watershed
o Lead, partner and collaborate
Staff provided the board with implementation details to support these goals, including specific measureable targets, budget implications, and timelines. The board approved these suggested initiatives, and directed staff to come back with a business plan to support their implementation.
Board reaffirms call for Nottawasaga River to be regulated under the Navigation Protection Act
CAPTION: Kate Harries of Aware Simcoe calls on the NVCA to reaffirm the authority’s request to the federal government to have the Nottawasaga River and its tributaries regulated under the Navigation Protection Act. (photo by Les Stewart)
Following a presentation by Kate Harries of Aware Simcoe, the NVCA board voted in favour of a resolution to reaffirm the authority’s request to the federal government to have the Nottawasaga River and its tributaries regulated under the Navigation Protection Act.
In 2014, the board voted to support the Township of Clearview and the Municipality of Essa in their request to their call for the federal government to add the Nottawasaga River to the Act. At the time, the federal government advised that no additions would be considered until spring of 2015.
By having the Nottawasaga regulated under the Act, the NVCA hopes to protect the historic, recreation and economic importance of the river, and to reduce the likelihood of potentially onerous and costly court challenges regarding navigable rights.
Changes coming to conservation area entrance fees
How visitors pay for conservation area entrance fees will change starting in the spring of this year. The board agreed to change the fee structure to a per-vehicle charge from the current per-person fee. The new rates will be $6 per vehicle for a day pass, and $45 per vehicle for an annual pass. This brings the NVCA’s fees into alignment with those of neighbouring conservation authorities.
In addition, users will now be able to pay for their day passes using their smartphones. This system will eliminate the vandalism and theft to which the current fee stations are prone. It also will improve the efficiency of payment administration and enforcement.
Conservation area entrance fees are used to offset the cost of maintenance. They also support work of volunteer groups that donate countless hours to improving these important spaces in our watershed.
Oak Ridges Moraine Report Card released
Gayle Wood presented the Report Card on the Environmental Health of the Oak Ridges Moraine and Adjacent Greenbelt, which was released by the Conservation Authority Moraine Coalition. The Upper Nottawasaga River and Bailey and Beeton creeks fall within the Oak Ridges Moraine. The report, and the NVCA-specific findings, are available online at www.nvca.on.ca.
Call for nominations for the NVCA’s Conservation Champion Awards
Sheryl Flannagan announced the call for nominations for the NVCA’s Conservation Champion Awards. The awards recognize businesses, municipalities, organizations and individuals that contribute significantly to the environmental health and sustainability of our watershed. Nominations will be accepted until March 16. Visitwww.nvca.on.ca/about/
NVCA forestry technician receives Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry designation
CAPTION: NVCA Chair Doug Lougheed and Vice Chair Gail Ardiel join Byron Wesson, Director of Land Operations and Stewardship Services (left) in congratulating Alisha Tobola, NVCA Forestry Technician, for receiving her Managed Forest Plan Approver designation.
For more information
D. Gayle Wood, CAO, gwood@nvca.on.ca, 705-424-1479 ext. 225
For the full meeting agenda including documents and reports, visit the NVCA website at nvca.on.ca/about/
Future meetings & events
Caring for your Horse and Farm – Equine Environmental Stewardship Workshop, Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Beeton Library
March Break Monday, Monday,
March 16, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Utopia
March Break Self-Guided Tours,
Daily between Tuesday, March 17 and Friday, March 20, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Utopia
NVCA Board of Directors Meeting, Friday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Utopia
Forest Management Conservation Workshop, Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Utopia
Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival, Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 11, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Utopia
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