The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) will spend about $31 million this year on programs that protect water quality, reduce flood damages, protect natural areas, support responsible development and provide outdoor recreation and environmental education.
The budget was approved by the GRCA board on Feb. 24. The board is made up of 26 members appointed by the municipalities in the Grand River watershed.
Municipalities will contribute $11 million in general municipal levy to the GRCA this year, about 36 per cent of the total budget. The municipal levy portion is up about 2.5% this year. That works out to about $10.60 per resident.
Government grants totalling about $4 million represents about 13% of the budget. This includes $800,000 from municipalities towards the Rural Water Quality program. The remainder is primarily provincial grants, including over $800,000 for the Source Protection Program.
The GRCA also receives approximately $300,000 in funding from the federal government. Approximately $220,000 of this funding this year is in support of Canada 150 projects.
The GRCA generates about $14.6 million, or about 47%, of its own revenue through revenue sources such as camping fees, park admissions, nature centre programs, hydro sales, property rentals, tree sales, planning permits, and donations raised by the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF).
The GRCA will continue to work on the development and implementation of a Drinking Water Source Protection Plan for each of the four watersheds in the Lake Erie Source Protection Region, including the Grand River watershed under the Clean Water Act, 2006. All four source protection plans are now approved.
Beyond supporting municipalities and other agencies in implementing the plans, the focus will be to undertake water quantity risk assessment studies, development of water quantity policies, updating water quality vulnerability assessments, and the development of an annual progress reporting framework.
The GRCA will continue to address the impacts of Emerald Ash Borer on GRCA lands. About $400,000 will be spent this year responding to damage caused by the invasive insect. Most of the money will go to remove hazardous trees in the areas where the infestation is the highest;
About $800,000 is expected to be available to farmers to help them undertake projects to protect water quality on their land including tree planting, erection of fences along water courses, construction of manure storage tanks and other projects. The money for the Rural Water Quality Program comes from municipalities within the Grand River watershed, while the GRCA manages the program.
The GRCA operates 11 active parks in the Grand River watershed, offering a wide array of activities including camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and skiing. These parks are user-supported through gate admission, equipment rental fees, and camping revenues.
Following two very successful operating seasons, the parks will focus on infrastructure reinvestment in 2017.
This reinvestment will primarily focus on projects that will enhance the visitor experience, including improved washroom facilities, playgrounds, pavilions and access control gates at park entrances.
Budget items related to water control structures include work at the Conestogo Dam in Mapleton Township. Planned work includes detailed design of the gate electrical gain heater and control system as well as an update of the emergency preparedness plan. The cost of the work is estimated at $85,000.
