Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority

Corporate body

Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority

1964-

A Conservation Authority is a corporate body, formed by municipal request, under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario. Its purpose is to further the conservation, restoration, development, and management of natural resources (excluding gas, oil, coal and minerals) in their areas. Conservation Authority powers are set out in the Conservation Authorities Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario, Chapter 85. An authority’s jurisdiction is based on a watershed (an area of land drained by one stream or river) rather than by political boundaries, since all municipalities through which a river or stream flows, share its resource problems. The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority was formed, at the request of our member municipalities, in December 1964 by order-in-council and has jurisdiction over 3,506 sq. km (1,354 sq. miles) of land, from Greater Napanee in the west to Brockville in the east. In all, there are ten watersheds in our jurisdiction, the largest ones being the Cataraqui and Gananoque Rivers. Smaller systems include the Collins, Millhaven, Wilton, Little Cataraqui, Lyn, Golden, Buells, and Butler Creeks. The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority has 17 members appointed by the councils of the 11 municipalities that lie either wholly or partly within the watershed. The CRCA has three Advisory Boards: the Administration and Finance Advisory Board, the Conservation Lands Advisory Board, and the Water Management Advisory Board. Ad hoc committees have been established for Lemoine Point and Parrott's Bay Conservation Areas because they are funded by a special municipal levy. From time to time, the CRCA sets up special sub-committees to study specific issues and provide recommendations to the Board. An Annual General Meeting of the Full Authority is held in January of each year, at which time the chair and vice-chair of the Authority are elected and the members of the Advisory Boards are elected. The Authority’s budget is reviewed at this meeting and is passed at the Full Authority meeting in February. The Full Authority normally meets once per month.

Draft

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