The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) has approved a 2014 budget that will see a drop in total expenditures from $30.7 million last year to $29.4 million.
The GRCA board approved its 2014 budget on Feb. 28.
About $10.3 million, or 34 per cent, comes from municipalities of the watershed which collect the money from residents through property taxes or water bills.
The municipal share of the budget is about $10.45 per person this year.
“Even though the overall budget is smaller this year, the cost to municipalities is up about 2.5 per cent,” GRCA manager of communication Dave Schultz said in a media release.
“That’s because other sources of revenue, such as provincial grants and some types of self-generated revenues do not grow as much as basic operating costs.
For example, a provincial operating grant was reduced in 2013 and remains frozen at the lower level. In addition, provincial grants for drinking water source protection planning are down, as the bulk of the work of that program has been completed.”
Government grants in 2014 total $3.6 million, about 12% of the budget.
About 46% of the GRCA’s revenues – roughly $14 million – comes from self-generated revenues such as camping fees, park admissions, hydro generation, donations, property rental and other sources.
The GRCA budget covers the costs of programs that protect water quality, reduce flood damages, preserve and improve natural areas, support environmentally responsible development and provide outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The budget includes money for major projects this year to improve the environment, reduce flood damages and protect water supplies. For projects involving work on dams and dikes, the provincial government covers half of the cost.
The worked planned this year includes restoration of the Conestogo channel through Drayton with an estimated cost of $200,000.
Officials say removal of material in the channel will increase flow and reduce potential flooding. The GRCA will pay for half the work with the province paying the remaining half.
The GRCA is also planning several rehabilitation projects at several of its dams, including the Conestogo Dam, where about $170,000 worth of work is planned, including road work on the south side of the dam.
About $40,000 will be spent on minor landscaping work at the Drimmie Dam in Elora.
The GRCA has also earmarked $73,500 grassland restoration of a 49 hectare grassland area suitable for the Henslowe’s sparrow, an endangered species.
Efforts will go into assessing the potential risks and beginning to remove or treat trees impacted by the emerald ash borer with $900,000 designated for the work.
The actual amount spent will depend on how far the disease has progressed and the amount work that needs to be done in the southern end of the watershed.
The GRCA has also marked $20,000 for restoration work at the Conestogo Lake Conservation Authority as part of a multi-year project to create grassland habitat for the endangered bobolink.
