Otonabee Conservation has released its 2018 Year in Review: Report to the Watershed Community, citing significant accomplishments in the past year that continue to support a healthy natural environment where communities thrive.
“2018 was a particularly busy year. We undertook a robust program supported by the largest budget in our 60 year history,” says Andy Mitchell, Chair of the Board of Otonabee Conservation. “We made good progress toward the completion of the project to replace the spillway and reconstruct the Millbrook Dam, in updating floodplain mapping to protect residents and property from natural hazards, and the release of the 2018 Watershed Report Card.”
Under the Conservation Authorities Act, Otonabee Conservation is responsible for furthering the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the watershed. As Chair Mitchell explains, “It’s our mission to be a leader and support a healthy, natural environment through science, stewardship, education, policy and community partnerships.”
“We need natural resources like forests, wetlands, shoreline buffers and floodplains if we want clean water and a robust economy,” says Dan Marinigh, Chief Administrative Officer for Otonabee Conservation . “We also need these resources to help protect people and property from flooding and erosion as they absorb and slow the movement of water in addition to filtering out contaminants.”
Other highlights from 2018 include:
- 44,000 campers and day visitors to the Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Beavemead Campground
- 4,174 student participants in the authority’s education programs including the Spring Water Awareness Program and Be a Watershed Steward
- Installed a new bridge on the Jackson Creek Trail (part of The Great Trail)
- 10,000 native trees and shrubs planted, restoring biodiversity to a former gravel pit
- 21 flood messages and 5 low water response messages issued
- 317 Planning Act applications reviewed (site plan control, minor variances, severances, subdivision reviews and other development needs)
- 308 permits issued under the Conservation Authorities Act
- 164 files opened responding to inquiries and early consultations under the Clean Water Act
“Investing in local watershed health today ensures a sustainable future for our local communities and economies,” says Marinigh. “Thank you to our municipalities, partners and volunteers who helped us achieve our 2018 goals, and we look forward to a successful 60th year in 2019.”
To view the Otonabee Conservation 2018 Year in Review – Report to the Watershed Community, click here or call 705-745-5791 to request a printed copy.