Conservation authority not consulted in IGAP process
by Michelle Minnoch

Although the province hired the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) to undertake the Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy (LSEMS) 16 years ago, they were not consulted through the IGAP process, and the targets may be in jeopardy.

"I cannot figure out why the Authority has not been asked to be a partner on this project," stated Uxbridge councilor Susan Self.

Mike Walters, Director of Watershed Management for the Authority, said that they have been doing all of the modeling work and the province has ignored the targets set out by LSEMS.

"We have spent $1.5 million to develop these targets," he said. "They've heard from me that this is unacceptable. From an Authority point of view, we have to put the Lake first."

East Gwillimbury mayor Jamie Young, said the fight in Simcoe County is who is going to get the development.

"Their fight in IGAP is different from what ours is going to be," he said.

Councilor Jack Rupke from King Township agreed the Conservation Authority should be involved in all the IGAP discussions.

CAO Gayle Wood said the Authority has been working with the province for 16 years on the targets and "they are in jeopardy".