Area of Jurisdiction:
Boundaries correspond to those of its eight participating municipalities; encompasses an area of 2600 sq. km and extends along 200 km of Lake Superior shoreline. MAP

Funding:
Comes from several sources: the Province of Ontario; member municipalities; fund-raising and; user fees. In addition, community groups and other agencies, including the federal government, provide funding for special projects.

Board Composition:
Policy and budget decisions are made by a Board comprised of eleven members appointed by our municipal partners. See Chart below.

Founding Principles:
Conservation Authorities are based on three fundamental principles:

• Municipal and provincial partnership;
• Local initiative and involvement;
• Management of renewable natural resources on a watershed basis

Mandate:
Conservation Authorities, created in 1946 by an Act of the Provincial Legislature, are mandated to ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario's water, land and natural habitats through programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs.

Objectives:

• To ensure that Ontario's rivers, lakes and streams are properly safeguarded, managed and restored;
• To protect, manage and restore Ontario's woodlands, wetlands and natural habitats;
• To develop and maintain programs that will protect life and property from natural hazards, such as flooding and erosion;
• To provide opportunities for the public to learn from, to enjoy and respect Ontario's natural environment

Water:
Water is essential to human health, important in economic development and vital to all living things. Water links all components of the environment and is a major force in shaping the landscape. We operate on a watershed basis because it treats natural systems as an entire unit.

Services:
Our integrated approach to resource management leads to a wide range of programs and projects, which are aimed at keeping our watersheds healthy. We improve quality of life by actively providing open space and protecting life and property from flooding and erosion, as well as restoring and conserving aquatic and natural habitats. In addition to serving our watershed residents, we also provide advice and counsel to all levels of government on the responsible management of water.