On Friday April 16th, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its regular monthly meeting electronically. Highlights from the meeting included:
Memorandum of Agreement with the Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative
Based on a mutual interest in shoreline resiliency and nature-based solutions for Niagara’s coastal ecosystems, the Board approved an agreement with the Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative. This partnership will provide a framework for collaboration on financing of forthcoming restoration projects, implementation of Niagara’s Visual Assessment Survey Tool (VAST) and will endorse efforts for shoreline resiliency across NPCA watersheds.
Regulation Mapping
The Board approved the updating of the NPCA’s Section 28 Regulation mapping based upon the most current information related to natural hazard features and with a phased approach based on most current information available on regulated natural hazard features. With direction to consult stakeholders during the update process, the Board instructed that staff report back to seek endorsement on Phase 1 updated mapping and the Phase 2 workplan.
Expanding the Greenbelt Proposal to the Environmental Registry of Ontario
The Board approved submission of the NPCA’s comments to the Environmental Registry of Ontario with respect to the Province’s ‘Expanding the Greenbelt Proposal’ and directed that partner municipalities in the Welland River and Twenty Mile Creek watersheds be so advised of the NPCA’s comments.
Integrity Commissioner Services for the NPCA
The Board approved the execution of agreements with three Integrity Commissioners (Hamilton, Haldimand, and Niagara). Additionally, Niagara Region’s Integrity Commissioner is to be appointed to provide non-investigative advisory services and training as Niagara is NPCA’s largest municipality.
Governance Committee - 2021 Work Plan
The Board approved its Governance Committee work plan which provided resources for implementation of the legislative changes enacted under the amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act. The work plan also acknowledged requirements for continued participation with the Auditor General of Ontario to address issues identified through her 2018 Special Audit of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.
Trail Connections
The Board directed that the NPCA convene a forum to bring agencies and municipalities in its watershed together to facilitate planning and development of an inter-jurisdictional trails network connecting municipalities, neighbourhoods, employment areas and nature destinations. The Board instructed staff to explore formal partnership opportunities with municipalities to map, build, and enhance trail connections while encouraging municipalities to adopt, through official plan updates, expanded trail networks using publicly owned corridors, abandoned rail lines and other opportunities.
Links to Agendas, Minutes and Video:
https://npca.ca/administration/board-meetings
Monarch butterfly in Niagara