2006Annual ReportLake S imcoe Reg ionC o n s e r v a t i o n A u t h o r i t y

Town of InnisfilCouncillor Roy Bridge (Chair)

York Region (East Gwillimbury) Councillor Virginia Hackson (Vice-Chair)

Town of Bradford West GwillimburyCouncillor Mikki Nanowski

York Region (King)Councillor Jack Rupke

Durham Region (Scugog)Councillor Bobbie Drew

Honourary Lifetime MemberJoseph O. Dales

Honourary Lifetime MemberGeorge R. Richardson

City of BarrieCouncillor Jerry Moore

City of BarrieMr. Eric Bull

York RegionMayor James Young

York Region (Georgina)Mayor Robert Grossi

Town of New TecumsethCouncillor Barbara Huson

Durham Region (Brock)Mayor Keith Shier

Township of Oro-MedonteCouncillor Paul Marshall

Durham Region (Uxbridge)Regional Councillor Susan Self

York Region (Whitchurch- Stouffville)Councillor Ken Ferdinands

Township of RamaraCouncillor Neal Snutch

City of Orillia (Ex-Officio)Mayor Ron Stevens

York Region (Newmarket)Mayor Tom Taylor

City of Kawartha LakesCouncillor George Davidson

York Region (Aurora)Councillor John G. West

2006 LSRCA board members

Roy BridgeLSRCA Chair

Gayle WoodChief Administrative Officer/Secretary-Treasurer

The climate of change

The year 2006 was a journey of important accomplishments for the Lake SimcoeRegion Conservation Authority. We completed a new, leading-edge scientific projectcalled the Assimilative Capacity Study, developing a model that we can use to predict

the impact of different land uses on the quality of Lake Simcoe. We ramped up our SourceWater Protection program to protect vital sources of drinking water. We completed amapping exercise to identify new natural hazard areas. We developed an emergencyresponse mapping model that provides a new world of precision to flood management andwarning. We celebrated our 55th anniversary with a ceremony attended by the Minister ofNatural Resources. We officially opened our renovated facility on Bayview Parkway. Andthese are just a few of the milestones we passed on our journey through the year.

2006 was also a year of change. Municipal elections created some changes on our Board ofDirectors, and we look forward to working with our new representatives as we face thechallenges ahead. The future of LSEMS will hopefully include a new governance model thatembraces broad stakeholder involvement. Growth is bringing land-use change to thewatershed, presenting challenges to municipalities as they work to achieve both economicprosperity and environmental sustainability. And the phrases “climate change” and “globalwarming” have become part of our daily language.

We rise to the challenge of change in a climate that demands our best leadership,cooperation and partnership. We value working closely with our partners in municipal andother governments to achieve goals of mutual benefit. We continue to engage ourstakeholder groups, encouraging all to lend their voices to collective solutions that are goodfor Lake Simcoe and the watershed. And we continue to reach out to the public with

opportunities to make a meaningful difference inthe health of our environment and the qualityof our water.

We rise to the challengeof change in a climatethat demands our bestleadership, cooperationand partnership.

Assimilative CapacityStudy (ACS)The LSRCA led this study, in partnershipwith the Province of Ontario and theNottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority,to evaluate the ability of the watersheds toaccommodate new land uses withoutimpairing water quality. This was the initialphase of the Intergovernmental Action Planfor Simcoe County. As part of the study, anumber of sophisticated scientific modelswere developed to predict the impacts thatlandscape disturbance will have on waterquality in watercourses and the lake.

Source Water ProtectionSource Water Protection involves reducingthe risk of surface and groundwatercontamination and ensuring that waterquantity is not overused. It is the first stepin a multi-barrier approach to protectingOntario’s water resources. The LSRCA isthe lead agency coordinating this criticalprogram in the region known as the SouthGeorgian Bay Lake Simcoe WatershedRegion. Our partners in this work are theNottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority,the Severn Sound EnvironmentalAssociation, and the municipalities withinthe Black-Severn watershed.

In 2006, we continued to develop adetailed understanding of the surface andground water systems within the WatershedRegion. These include:

• water budgets that help to calculatethe amount of water in the system

• assessments of risks to water quality• detailed data on groundwater and

surface water A recent peer review of these studiesconcluded that the work is leading-edgescience and exemplary water protectionplanning.

Flood Line/Natural HazardMappingIn May of 2006 the Minister of NaturalResources approved the generic mapping ofhazards in the Lake Simcoe watershed. Thiscapped a lengthy process of mapdevelopment for approximately 3,950 km ofstream channel, as well as input frommunicipalities, stakeholders and the public.The Conservation Authority also updated itsWatershed Development Policies, includingnew protections for wetland areas andexemptions for common agriculturalpractices. This new mapping and policywere distributed widely for public andagency review, and then approved asOntario Regulation 179/06 in June.

The Conservation Authority’s cutting-edgescience has taken the generic floodlinemapping to new levels of precision. TheLSRCA developed a flood model thatincorporates all the variables ofprecipitation, saturation, groundwater,topography and drainage systems. Usingthis model, flooding under a variety ofdifferent storm conditions can now bepredicted with much greater reliability.

It is now possible for municipal emergencyservices to identify individual buildings(offices, homes, schools, etc.) that wouldbe vulnerable during a flood event toimprove public safety.

It is now possible formunicipal emergencyservices to identifyindividual buildings thatwould be vulnerableduring a flood event toimprove public safety.

Stream Health MonitoringThe monitoring of surface and groundwateracross the Lake Simcoe basin represents aninvestment in the protection of one of ourmost precious natural resources – water.Monitored information is used in a widerange of activities such as investigating waterquality complaints, supporting provincialflood and drought response, and land usedecisions at the local and provincial levels.

Water quality was monitored at 12 stationson nine different river systems during 2006.Working with its partners, the LSRCAestablished new permanent water quantitymonitoring stations on five catchments thatwere previously unmeasured. Atmosphericmonitoring was improved with the additionof a new climate station in Oro-Medonte.This mass of data was used in thecalibration of a three-dimensional digitalwatershed and lake model that is used topredict the impacts of changing land useon the ecosystem.

A test was conducted of a new onlinesystem that will provide public access tomonitoring data.

Monitoring contributes information everyday into the largest database on the aquatichealth of the watershed. This information iscritical to assessing the condition of theenvironment, identifying areas of concern,and supporting restoration projects.

Natural Heritage SystemAs a tool to help in the long-termprotection of natural heritage features inthe watershed, the Conservation Authoritydeveloped a comprehensive NaturalHeritage System. This system identifiedenvironmentally significant features(different categories of wetlands, forests,meadows, etc.) and then proposed a policyframework to protect them. The draftreport was completed in 2006. A finalreport to finalize and adopt the system isplanned for the spring of 2007, followingextensive agency and public stakeholderconsultation.

• February 24 – The Honorable DavidRamsay attended the ConservationAuthority’s Annual General Meetingand congratulated the LSRCA for 55years of conservation leadership

• March 30 – Information sessions offi-cially launched the Source WaterProtection program in our region

• April 29 – The Sunoco Earth Day 2006Tree Planting gave a new home to 1,300shrubs and trees in Newmarket’s GeorgeR. Richardson Park

• May 4 – The Province of Ontarioapproved Regulation 179/06 “Regulationof Development , Interference withWetlands and Alterations to Shorelinesand Watercourses”

• May 26 – The LSRCA’s newAdministrative Centre was officiallyopened

• July 8 – Threatened Redside Dace werediscovered in King City’s Kettleby Creek

• August 9 – Brook trout were discoveredin downtown Barrie’s Kidds Creek

• August 18 – The launch of the LSEMSdraft One Voice Action Plan was cham-pioned by Ontario’s EnvironmentalCommissioner Gord Miller

• October 12 – Conservation Awardrecipients were celebrated at GeorgianDowns, Innisfil

• October 19 – Ontario’s Clean Water Actreceived Royal Assent

A test was conducted of a new online system that willprovide public access to monitoring data.

WatershedMoments 2006

One Voice Action Plan forLake SimcoePhase III of the Lake SimcoeEnvironmental Management Strategy(LSEMS) will officially end when theMemorandum of Understanding expires onMarch 31, 2007. With this in mind, theLake Simcoe Region ConservationAuthority has been engaging partneragencies, citizens, community groups,governments, scientists, and practitionersto help develop a One Voice Action Planto provide direction into the future.

Following two years of consultations andplanning, the One Voice Action Plan draftreport was presented on August 18, 2006.It proposed a unified process moving theprocess forward. It also proposed long-term objectives for the health of thewatershed, strong public representation infurther planning, and a new governancestructure.

Watershed PlanningThe Oak Ridges Moraine ConservationPlan (under the provincial Oak RidgesMoraine Conservation Act) requiresmunicipalities to produce detailed plansfor restoration and protection of lands onthe Moraine. In the Lake Simcoewatershed this responsibility belongs to theRegional Municipalities of York andDurham. Through 2006 the ConservationAuthority worked with the Region of Yorkto bring their plan into compliance andwill complete this process in 2007. Thesame development of watershed plans is inprocess for Durham Region.

Lake Simcoe WaterQuality ImprovementProgram (LSWQIP)LSWQIP provides technical and financialassistance to landowners within the LakeSimcoe watershed to help them completeprojects that improve local surface waterand groundwater quality, reduce soilerosion, and enhance wildlife habitat.These projects include improvements tosuch things as manure storage facilitiesand septic systems, fencing to keeplivestock from contaminating streams, andreforestation. LSRCA also works withmunicipal governments to retrofit urbanstormwater management ponds. Byworking together, the ConservationAuthority and its community partnershave decreased the amount of pollutionentering Lake Simcoe and its tributaries.

There has been dramatic growth in theLSWQIP program recently, reflecting thechallenges and opportunities facing waterquality in the watershed. Two newWatershed Coordinators hired in 2006 areworking to raise the profile of the programand increase the number of participatinglandowners. One of the Coordinators,funded by the Lake Simcoe ConservationFoundation, has focused on the EastHolland River. To address urbanstewardship opportunities, anEnvironmental Project Coordinatorundertook a number of stormwatermanagement and streambank erosionprojects in cooperation with our municipalpartners.

• 184 projects completed in 2006,bringing the total number of restora-tion projects to over 800 since 1990

Environmental PlanReview & RegulationsThe LSRCA continued to provideprofessional review and commentary onland use planning and developmentapplications, based on the best availablescience and in the context of currentgovernment policy. The ConservationAuthority also reviewed permit applicationsfrom individual landowners in its continuingrole to protect public lives and propertyfrom the potentially devastating impacts offloods and erosion. As anticipated, thelarger volume of planning applications andpermits in 2006 demonstrated that growthcontinues to increase within the watershed.

• Responded to 54 Official Plan amend-ment applications and 144 zoningamendment applications

• Responded to the following applica-tions: 21 for subdivision, 103 for con-sent/variances, 183 for site plans, 202for site clearances, and 632 for permits

• Responded to 209 property informa-tion requests

In 2006 a second Environmental Officerwas hired to support compliance withpolicies and regulations. Officersinvestigated 154 potential infractions andissued 17 permit violations resulting in twoconvictions.

Flood Forecasting &WarningThe Conservation Authority's floodforecasting and warning system continued toprovide municipalities and othergovernment agencies with information aboutpotential flooding in the watershed. Theaddition of three new river flow andprecipitation monitoring stations in 2006enhanced the data collection system. Inaddition, new software provided automaticdata downloads from all monitoring stations,giving staff real-time information to makedecisions regarding flooding and warnings.

• During 2006, the LSRCA issued 20flood warnings and Spring Ice Break-up bulletins using its web-based faxingand voice mail system.

Land Securement In March 2006 the LSRCA Board ofDirectors approved The Natural HeritageSystem Land Securement Project 2006-2010 which outlines how lands within theLSRCA watershed will be identified,evaluated and targeted for securement.

The LSRCA acquired two new propertiesand is in the process of finalizing twoadditional acquisitions within theenvironmentally sensitive Beaver RiverWetland Project Area. Funding wasapproved through the Natural Spaces LandAcquisition and Stewardship Programadministered by the Ontario Heritage Trust,the Symons bequest administered by theNature Conservancy of Canada, and theLake Simcoe Conservation Foundation.Other land securement initiatives in 2006included a donation of lands in EastGwillimbury and the Township ofUxbridge, and the co-signing of aConservation Easement Agreement with theOak Ridges Moraine Land Trust for 108hectares (269 acres) of Oak Ridges Moraineland in King Township.

Conservation AreasLSRCA now owns 1,173.3 hectares(2,881.2 acres) of environmentally sensitivelands including upland forests, wetlandsand Oak Ridges Moraine lands. TheConservation Authority continued to workwith local groups and municipal partnerson capital improvements, trail developmentand land management.

ReforestationWorking in partnership with privatelandowners, municipal partners andcommunity groups, 43 tree and shrubplanting projects were completed acrossthe watershed in 2006. Funding for theseinitiatives was provided through the YorkNatural Planting Partnership, Lake SimcoeWater Quality Improvement Program, LakeSimcoe Conservation Foundation,municipalities, and private landowners.Using native species, these projectscontributed to the expansion of existingforest cover, buffering of watercourses,connection of natural features, andestablishment of wildlife habitat. Publicplanting events in partnership with EarthDay Canada, Sunoco, the Lake SimcoeConservation Foundation, Scouts Canada,the Bogart Creek Restoration Committeeand the Uxbridge Watershed AdvisoryCommittee engaged the public inenvironmental stewardship activities.

• 47,177 trees and shrubs planted• 20.5 hectares reforested• 3.8 km of streams buffered

LSRCA now owns 1,173.3hectares of environmentallysensitive lands includingupland forests, wetlandsand Oak Ridges Morainelands....

Financial SummaryThe following information is condensedfrom the 2006 Board of Directors approvedbudget summary. Copies of the completeauditor's report for the year endedDecember 31, 2006 are anticipated to beavailable in April 2007, at the ConservationAuthority's head office at 120 BayviewParkway, in Newmarket.

Conservation EducationThe hands-on education programs atScanlon Creek and Sheppard’s Bushcontinued to grow in variety and popularity,and continued to help develop caring,respectful citizens of the watershed. Acurriculum breakthrough this year at theProfessor Smith Educational Centre was thedevelopment of a module on free trade thathelped schools deliver a civics requirementwhile making learning fun and meaningfulfor students. The Nature Centre’s dayprogramming has expanded into the winter,and the Conservation Kids programcontinued to bring a fun, nature-basedsummer program to families in Aurora.

Upgrades to the Education Centre includedpainting and staining, as well as 26 newenergy conserving windows.

• 4,800 students attended the one-dayprogram

• 3,065 students attended the weekdayresidential program

• 584 visitors attended the weekend res-idential program

• 152 children participated in theConservation Kids programs

Community RelationsThe LSRCA continued to reach out to thecommunities in the watershed toencourage residents to take an active rolein caring for the natural environment. Thisincluded public presentations andworkshops, displays at exhibitions andfestivals, science fairs, and public events.Our outreach program extended oureducational and experiential program intothe classrooms of nearly 1,000 studentswith a program about the importance andvalue of wetlands.

Over 400 watershed residents took part inthe 2006 Sunoco Earth Day Tree PlantingEvent in April, planting over 1,300 nativetrees and shrubs in Newmarket’s George R.Richardson Park. A new community eventscalendar was created on the LSRCAwebsite to inform the public aboutupcoming environmental events &activities. The continuing program of newsreleases and media advisories was steppedup in 2006 with significant increases inpublic media attention.

Conservation AwardsThe LSRCA recognized “EnvironmentalGiants” across the watershed at its annualConservation Awards Ceremony onOctober 12, 2006. This year’s Awards werepresented to:

• Dr. George Connell (George R.Richardson Conservation Award ofHonour)

• Ross David James (Conservation Awardof Merit – Individual)

• North Mara Beach ResidentsAssociation (Conservation Award ofMerit – Group)

• Michelle Minnoch (Media RecognitionAward)

• Gwynneth Rooke (Soil ConservationAward)

• Bogart Creek Restoration ProjectCommittee (Water ConservationAward)

Volunteers were also recognized forsupporting the LSRCA’s conservation work:

• Tri Rotary Club of Barrie• Sunoco Earth Day Tree Planting

Volunteers

Revenues: $12,484,867

Municipal Levies 6,815,317

Provincial & OtherGrants

2,015,161

Authority Generated 3,654,389

Expenditures: $12,484,867

Watershed Management& Health Monitoring

3,842,868

Environmental PlanReview & Regulations

1,463,566

Environmental Services& Stewardship

5,835,570

Corporate & ProgramSupport Services

1,342,863

The Lake SimcoeConservation FoundationThe Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundationremains highly committed to continuing toprovide funds for specific projects thatcontribute to the restoration andprotection of the Lake Simcoe Watershed.To this end we are pleased to report moreprogress in 2006.

Thanks to funding by TD Canada Trust anew energy program is now being offered atthe Professor E.A. Smith Education Centre.Children in grades 2 and 5 now have theopportunity to learn about alternative formsof energy and energy conservation in ahands-on interactive environment.

Our pledge of $205,000 to help fund therestoration of 300m of streamchannel andthe creation of fish habitat and greenspace indowntown Barrie continues to generateinterest. The Kidd’s Creek project is anexcellent example of what we can achievewhen we work together. We are grateful toall donors who have helped raised over$70,000 to date for this project. We lookforward to celebrating our mutual successwith the community in the fall of 2007 whenwe all come together to put the final toucheson this streambank restoration project.

2006 was also the year our Board ofDirectors took a leadership role in therestoration of the East Holland River. Ourinitial investment of $100,000 and ouradditional commitment of $500,000 fromThe R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation willresult in a healthier local ecosystem andultimately improve the quality of the waterdraining into Cooks Bay. This long-termproject will ultimately require $17,000,000and collaboration from all sectors over thenext five years.

The Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundationbelieves that joint efforts will create ahealthier Lake Simcoe ecosystem. For thisreason we are pleased to be a part of theevolution of LSEMS and remain loyal andcommitted to the process.

The Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundationis proud of the progress we have made in2006. We know that more work needs tobe done and we are optimistic that the levelof funding for a healthy Lake Simcoe willincrease exponentially in the coming year.

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority120 Bayview Parkway

Newmarket, ON L3Y 3W3Tel: 905.895.1281 Fax: 905.853.5881

1.800.465.0437info@lsrca.on.ca www.lsrca.on.ca recycled content

Chlorine free100%