Residents of the Grand River watershed are being asked to each contribute about 30 cents more to cover the cost of the environmental protection work planned by the Grand River Conservation Authority in 2013.
The GRCA board approved its 2013 budget on Feb. 28 calling for total expenditures of $30.7 million. The board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.
About $10.5 million, or one-third of the budget, comes from the municipalities of the watershed which collect the money from residents through property taxes or water bills. The municipal share of the budget is up three per cent from 2012. The municipal share works out to about $10.35 per person this year compared to $10.05 in 2012.
The GRCA budget covers the cost of programs that protect water quality, reduce flood damages, preserve and improve natural areas, support responsible development and provide outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The overall budget is actually down about $2 million from last year. Much of the drop is linked to reductions in provincial grants to the GRCA. Government grants total about $4.7 million, or 15% of the budget, which is down from $7.2 million from last year.
Jane Mitchell, chair of the GRCA, said, “Overall the GRCA is doing well” despite the cuts.
The provincial annual operating grant was cut 8% to $871,000.
In addition, there was reduction in provincial grants for the drinking water source protection program. In 2012 the province contributed about $2.6 million to the cost of completing the source protection plan which wrapped up at the end of the year. In 2013 the province will contribute $650,000 for some follow-up work and for preparation to implement the plan once it is approved.
Mitchell noted the province is providing $950,000 over three years to develop a water management plan to address flooding, water supply and water quality issues over the coming decades. The GRCA is working with municipalities, the province, the federal government, First Nations and others to develop the plan.
About 46% of the GRCA’s revenues – about $14.2 million – comes from self-generated revenues such as camping fees, park admissions, hydro generation and donations.
Despite the budget restraint, the GRCA is pushing ahead with several projects to improve the environment, reduce flood damages and protect water supplies. The provincial government contributes about half of the cost of work on dikes and dams, although confirmation of its commitment is expected in the spring. Projects include:
– Drimmie dam reconstruction (Elora) – $1.15 million. Subject to financial support and project approval from the provincial government, work could start this summer to replace the deteriorating dam. The Township of Centre Wellington is also contributing $200,000;
– Luther dam repairs (Grand Valley) – $425,000. Work will be done to stabilize the banks of the 60-year-old dam and bring the structure up to current standards;
– Conestogo dam spillway design (Glen Allan) – $100,000. A consulting company will be hired for preliminary design of a new spillway at Conestogo Dam to allow the dam to safely pass high flows during a major storm. The study will provide an estimate of the cost of building the spillway;
– Cambridge dike safety study – $50,000. The dikes in downtown Galt have been in place for more than 30 years. The study will include an engineering inspection to guide future repairs;
– Conestogo Lake Conservation Area wetland project (Glen Allan) – $110,000. Improvements will be made to berms and other control features of a wetland within the conservation area to make it a better habitat. Most of the work is being paid for by donations from a variety of environmental groups, including the Grand River Conservation Foundation, Wildlife Habitat Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and Wellington Water Stewardship Program;
– Luther Marsh forest and grassland habitat (Grand Valley) – $250,000. Trees will be planted on about 67 hectares of land at Luther Marsh Wildlife Management area. Another 27 hectares will be planted with grassland species. Some work will also be done to maintain trees planted in earlier years. This project is supported by grants from the Hydro One Biodiversity Initiative and Trees Ontario; and
– Improvements at Taquanyah Conservation Area (Cayuga) – $55,000. A new trail will be developed, interpretive signs installed and vegetation planted on the floor of a former reservoir on the property. Financial support comes from the province’s Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund and the Grand River Conservation Foundation. The new work complements a $206,000 project done in 2012 to construct four new wetlands on the former reservoir site, supported by the GRCF and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
