62nd Annual General Meeting & Board of Directors Meeting Highlights – June 18th, 2021
On Friday June 18th, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its 62nd Annual General Meeting followed by its regular monthly meeting electronically. Highlights from both meetings include:
NPCA Chair, Vice Chair and Committee Appointments
By acclamation, Brenda Johnson was re-appointed as Chair of the Board for 2021 while Bruce Mackenzie returned as Vice Chair. Chair Johnson was then re-appointed as the voting delegate to Conservation Ontario with Vice Chair Mackenzie appointed as her designate.
The Board carried a motion to re-appoint Robert Foster and Donna Cridland to the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation for 2021 and also re-affirmed a number of its appointments to various NPCA standing committees.
NPCA 2020 Annual Report
The Board approved the 2020 Annual Report which highlighted the key accomplishments of the organization in 2020. The Annual Report is an update to the residents of the Niagara Peninsula watershed and will be publicly circulated to municipalities, partners and stakeholders in the coming weeks.
New Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health
The Board of Directors was informed about the New Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health. Through its existing programs/services such as water quality monitoring, source protection program, habitat restoration, integrated watershed management, and remedial action plan, the NPCA will continue to provide local leadership and support to help Canada and Ontario achieve their goals.
Niagara River ‘Beach Closings’ Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) Status Assessment and Re-designation
The Board approved the recent Niagara River Beneficial Use Impairment Status Assessment Report which recommended changing the status of the ‘Beach Closings’ BUI to Not Impaired. It was noted that extensive water quality monitoring, microbial source tracking studies, storm sewer investigations, and implementation of remedial actions had resulted in significant water quality improvements at Queen’s Royal Beach in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Board acknowledged the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake for their leadership and collaboration with the NPCA to improve the Niagara River’s water quality and ecosystem health.
Water Quality Monitoring Program Summary Report for 2020
The Board approved a report detailing the NPCA’s Water Quality Monitoring Program Summary for 2020. It was noted that, overall, surface water quality was poor, likely caused by decades of environmental degradation. It was stated that water quality programs that improve how nutrients are managed, serve to increase riparian buffers, and that improve forest cover can begin to address these impacts. NPCA Staff was instructed to submit the report to various municipal stakeholders as well as present the report’s findings in a digital postcard to be published via various mediums. It was noted that the NPCA would also offer Water Quality presentations or meetings with municipal councils/senior staff upon request. The Board further directed that a report be presented on the details of the NPCA water well decommissioning program.
Wainfleet Bog Biederman Drain Re-Alignment Proposal
Based on a delegation presentation and a request from 8Trees Inc. to relocate the Biederman Drain, the Board supported the staff-recommended approach to future management of drainage in the Wainfleet Bog. The report detailed three key options that may contribute to the overall benefit of the Wainfleet Bog. The next steps for the project were established with implementation taking place over the next year.
Conservation Authority Act Phase 1 Regulations Guide – NPCA Comments
The Board endorsed a report outlining the NPCA comments provided to the Province via Environmental Registry of Ontario and will be referred transition actions to the Governance Committee for consideration.
Links to Agendas, Minutes and Video:
https://npca.ca/administration/board-meetings