Board of Directors Meeting Highlights – November 19th, 2021
On Friday November 19th, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) held its regular monthly meeting electronically. Highlights from the meeting included:
2022 NPCA Conservation Area Fee Adjustments
Following the third party review of the NPCA’s direct and capital costs of conservation area operations, the Board of Directors approved the revised fee structure for conservation area admissions in 2022. The third party firm, Watson and Associates Economists Ltd, recommended that the NPCA fees adjustment be spread out over a course of three years to cover the gap in time for the 2024 Conservation Authorities Act regulatory transition period. Anticipated admission and service fee revenues will fully recover the costs to deliver active recreation programs and services, including the operation of day use conservation areas, campgrounds, facilities rentals, and educational programming.
Delegation by Friends of Twelve Mile Creek Regarding a Mountain Bike Racecourse for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games
The Board heard a presentation from Guy Graveline representing Friends of Twelve Mile Creek in which he outlined concerns with the development of a mountain bike race course in the Twelve Mile Creek valley lands. As a result, the Board adopted a resolution requesting dialogue with Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games on the present trail and future condition of the site.
Wainfleet Bog Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
The Board of Directors approved the Terms of Reference for a new NPCA Wainfleet Bog Advisory Committee. The Terms of Reference was established with an aim to provide collaborative perspective, guidance, and expert advice in the review, revision and implementation of the Wainfleet Bog Management Plan and other site strategies for the Wainfleet Bog Conservation Area. The Terms of Reference occurred in consultation with First Nations and various other relevant stakeholders.
Following approval of the Terms of Reference, NPCA staff will initiate the recruitment process to establish the Wainfleet Bog Advisory Committee. The Board advised that the approved report be circulated to the City of Port Colborne and the Township of Wainfleet.
NPCA Transition Plan in Accordance with Amendments to the Conservation Authorities Act
The Board of Directors approved the NPCA Transition Plan in accordance with Section 21.1.4 of the updated Conservation Authorities Act (CAA). The NPCA Transition Plan is required to be presented to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) as well as participating municipalities by no later than December 31st, 2021. The NPCA will begin taking a complete inventory of its program and services as well as the development and execution of MOU’s/Agreements following the requirements set forth by Section 21.1.4 of the updated CAA.
2022 ft Budgets and Municipal Levies
The Board of Directors approved of the NPCA’s 2022 Draft Budgets and Municipal Levies for presentation to the participating municipalities. Staff were also directed to discuss the possibility of reinstating the Land Acquisition Reserve contributions with municipal funding partners.
The list of unfunded budget priorities for 2022 was also approved by the Board and will be provided to partner municipalities to establish potential future opportunities outside the 2022 budget through collaborative projects or external funding.
Links to Agendas, Minutes and Video.
Bridge at Conservation area in winter season