KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
The provincial government plans to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, consolidating the current 36 authorities into seven regional conservation authorities.
The Raisin Region Conservation Authority says that agencies will continue maintaining environmental services, watershed protection and management, source water protection, natural hazard management and stewardship programs without disruption during the consultation period and staff will be maintained. “We appreciate the opportunity to be engaged during the provincial consultation,” said Lisa Van De Ligt, Team Lead, RRCA Communications and Stewardship, “and will provide feedback on the government’s proposed framework.”
The province will soon introduce legislation to create the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency (OPCA) in the spring “with the aim of improving the province’s conservation authority system to help get shovels in the ground faster on homes and other local infrastructure projects, while strengthening the vital role conservation authorities play in managing watersheds and protecting communities from floods and natural hazards.”
Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, said the changes will not result in job losses, but instead streamline processes and shift some management staff to front-line workers.
L’article Province to merge conservation authorities est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
