Lower Trent Conservation sets budget

Posted Feb 16, 2012 By Ray Yurkowski

EMC News -Quinte West - Brighton Councillor Craig Kerr was acclaimed to a fourth term as chairperson of the Lower Trent Conservation board of directors at their annual meeting. Cramahe Township Councillor Patricia Westrope was acclaimed to a second term as vice chair.

As well, the 2012 budget was approved. Approximately 57 per cent of the total amount ($3,066,200) will be coming from provincial and federal coffers to co-ordinate programs related to the Bay of Quinte cleanup and source water protection. The seven member municipalities will provide about 25 per cent ($731,421).

This year, in addition to ongoing environmental advisory services, flood protection, environmental education and operation of conservation areas, LTC will be concentrating their efforts on promoting the importance of natural shorelines through a new "Healthy Shorelines-Clean Water Stewardship Program," landowner incentive grants, workshops and shoreline demonstration projects. The hope is to encourage shoreline property owners to take advantage of free advice and grants of up to $300 to assist with the purchase of native plants for shoreline naturalization projects.

"The program is connected with the whole watershed management strategy and trying to get people to learn stream stewardship in providing a bit of a buffer between manicured lawns and the streams," he said.

Kerr points to homes along Prince Edward Street in Brighton that back along Butler Creek. "It's not surprising we've got erosion all through that area," he said. "I really believe when people understand the importance of those practices they will willingly buy into the program. People do appreciate the value of that stream. It's really putting the conservation emphasis on protecting our natural environment and every little effort helps."

As well, says Kerr, this year, there'll be a heavier concentration on conservation work.

"The continuation of conservation programs and the re-focus on children's education through the Water Festival is very important," he said. Designed to meet the Ontario school curriculum, the Quinte Children's Water Festival was created to educate youth about the importance and proper conservation of water through interactive activities and demonstrations.

The LTC jurisdiction covers 2121 square kilometres stretching from Grafton to Quinte West and from Lake Ontario to Rice Lake. The area includes all or portions of seven municipalities which appoint members to the Board of Directors. This year, the 10-member board includes: Joan Stover (Alnwick/ Haldimand), Craig Kerr, Mary Tadman (Brighton), Larry Mitz (Centre Hastings), Patricia Westrope (Cramahe), Jim Harrison, Jim Alyea (Quinte West), Kim MacNeil, Bill Thompson (Trent Hills), and Rawdon Wilfred Shier (Stirling).