• provide land use planning input and review, and monitoring and controls associated with environmental legislation and requirements
• undertake studies and inventories of watershed resources

Examples

• official plan policies and schedules, comprehensive zoning by-laws, plans of subdivisions
• 370 property inquiries (fill regulations, lawyers clearances, general public) in 1999
• resource mapping and flood elevations
• technical reviews and clearances
• expert technical advice in hydrology, ecology, bioengineering, stream morphology, land use planning
• environmental and legislative reviews and approvals
• Watershed Development Studies for Mosquito Creek, Corbett Creek, Pennock Creek, Cedar Creek and six watersheds in Shuniah Township
• liaison between municipalities and other government agencies

Why?

• reduce the risk to life and property from natural hazards, such as flooding and unstable slopes
• complement flood control operations
• promote wise use of land and water resources for future generations
• comply with legislative requirements at the local level
• keep the public informed of natural hazards and natural heritage resources planning
• identify opportunities and potential concerns for future investigation

Who Benefits/Participates

• ratepayers associations, landowners, developers and special interest groups
• municipal planning committees, committees of adjustment and councils
• municipal planners, building officials, engineers and parks department staff
• private planning consultants and engineering consultants
• lawyers and real estate agents
• provincial ministries, Ontario Municipal Board, Mining and Lands Commissioner
• academic community

• addresses streambank soil erosion concerns by providing in-field technical advice, design and supervision of remedial construction works

Examples

• major undertaking along the Kam River at both King Road and Victor St. at Broadway Ave.; resloping and stablization of bank, as well as protection of shoreline at base of slope to prevent future erosion
• remedial works to stabilize erosion sites on the Neebing River, McIntyre River and other local watercourses
• inventories of local watercourses to identify problem areas that may require future erosion control works
• developing, designing and implementing streambank erosion control and slope stabilization measures suited to specific sites
• controlling sediment on urban construction sites

Why?

• reduce watercourse pollution and maintenance costs by keeping soil on the land
• stabilize streams experiencing pressure from surrounding land uses
• improve water quality and habitat for fish and wildlife
• reduce the flood risk by limiting build-up of sediments in watercourses
• protect private property and municipal services against potential damage from continued erosion

Who Benefits/Participates

• private landowners and the local community can keep local water resources clean
• local contractors carry out much of the work
• local anglers benefit from quality fishery
• municipal services are protected

• provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities on Authority owned/managed lands

Examples

• passive day-use recreational opportunities are available on much of the Authority's 2500 hectares of conservation lands, including wetlands, forest management properties, floodplain lands and 9 Conservation Areas
• Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area offers hiking, picnicking, swimming, fishing and snowshoeing, as well as the Hazelwood Lake Centre
• five Conservation Areas provide access to Lake Superior; Little Trout Bay and Silver Harbour Conservation Areas have boat launches for anglers wishing to explore Lake Superior
• Mission Island Marsh and Hurkett Cove Conservation Areas have excellent wildlife viewing opportunities in the adjacent wetlands
• recreation pathways along the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway are used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and in-line skaters; part of the network of over 30 km of pathways in the City of Thunder Bay
• Dedicate A Park Bench Program
• The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is a loaner-site for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Tackle Share program. Children and families can sign out a rod and reel and basic tackle at no charge. Call 344-5857 for more information and availability.

Why?

• create social value for a healthy environment by providing recreational opportunities in the outdoors
• provide safe access to Authority owned/managed lands for permitted activities

Who Benefits/Participates

• watershed residents
• local economies benefit from tourism
• local communities enjoy access to day-use opportunities in nearby natural areas

• provides information and education about conservation, the environment and the Conservation Authority's programs

Examples

• conservation education programs in local natural areas
• hands-on resource management opportunities (e.g. purple loosestrife control)
• opportunities for stakeholder involvement in local environmental issues (e.g. subwatershed studies, public open houses/workshops)
• curriculum support material (e.g. Hazelwood Lake Study Kits, Wetland Education Kits)
• Conservation Library at Authority office (films, videos, books, education kits)
• tours and field days to demonstrate conservation practices (e.g. constructed wetlands, tree planting with schools)
• workshops, conferences, presentations
• www.lakeheadca.com is Lakehead Conservation's extensive website; it includes information about our programs and services plus maps, photos and directions for our Conservation Areas

Why?

• create social value for a healthy environment by providing opportunities for people to experience and learn about conservation practices
• accrue future benefits for the environment from citizens with an environmental/stewardship ethic
• provide hands-on learning opportunities to help the environment
• empower people to take action in their local community
• help people make informed environmental decisions

Who Benefits/Participates

• watershed residents
• Scouts, youth, naturalist and hiking groups
• private landowners and the local community
• students from elementary schools, high schools, college and university
• 3,000 students who take part in Authority-led presentations for Arbour Week, Spring Water Safety and at Conservation Areas each year

• provides a range of tree planting activities to improve the health of the local environment and offer a learning experience

Examples

• annual Arbour Week program educates school children and the general public about the many benefits of forests and trees; hands-on activities
• Private Landowners Reforestation Assistance Program provides free advice to landowners and reimburses the cost of tree seedlings
• Blake Memorial Grove program plants trees in memory of departed individuals over 3,800 trees have been planted along the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway since 1991
• refrorestation of open areas on Authority lands, such as Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area and the Agreement Forests
• 400,000 trees planted by the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority since 1958

Why?

• reduce watercourse pollution by keeping soil on the land
• provide habitat for wildlife
• improve air quality
• shade and protect buildings, reducing heat and cooling costs
• reduce snow drifting and snow removal costs
• provide timber products
• provide recreational opportunities and aesthetics

Who Benefits/Participates

• students
• non-profit groups, service clubs and community associations
• general public

• assists in the restoration and improvement of local fisheries by providing technical advice, financial control, project supervision and design assistance
• assists in regulating of projects that may impact fish habitat

Examples

• commissioning of a study into the potential for a rainbow trout sport fishery in the Current River
• project supervision and administration of the Lakehead University Fish Ladder at Lake Tamblyn on the McIntyre River
• project supervision and administration of the Boulevard Lake Fishway on the Current River
• project supervision of fisheries enhancement projects on the Neebing River, McIntyre River, McVicars Creek, Corbett Creek, Silver Creek, Current River and other watercourses
• long-term study of young-of-the-year rainbow trout populations in the Neebing and McIntyre River systems; longest such study on the north shore of Lake Superior
• under agreement with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Lakehead Conservation is the local referral agency for projects that may require authorization under the federal Fisheries Act; screen out projects that do not need an authorization and forward information about projects that do

Why?

• improve habitat for fish and other wildlife
• increase potential recreation and tourism opportunities
• ensure sustainable fisheries

Who Benefits/Participates

• watershed residents
• local contractors who carry out much of the work
• individuals and agencies share new ideas and expertise
• local economies benefit from tourism

• works in partnership with the community to ensure the long-term conservation of over 2500 hectares of Authority-owned natural areas, such as woodlands and wetlands

Examples

• acquisition and stewardship of significant wetlands, e.g. Arthur Bog, Mission Island Marsh
• ownership of rural and urban Conservation Areas and floodplain lands
• rehabilitation projects
• interpretive and recreational opportunities, e.g. Hazelwood Lake Centre, Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area
• forest management properties and nature reserve lands
• site planning and trail design
• access points to Lake Superior (e.g. Little Trout Bay and Silver Harbour Conservation Areas)

Why?

• natural areas are highly valued by the community
• provide a natural experience to the public
• provide storage for flood waters
• improve water quality by trapping sediments and storing nutrients
• provide habitat to a variety of plants and animals, including some endangered species

Who Benefits/Participates

• watershed residents
• Scouts, youth, naturalist and hiking groups
• local anglers benefit from access to quality fisheries
• students from elementary schools, high schools, college and university

• supports all staff and programs of the Conservation Authority

Examples

• corporate and strategic planning, policy development and implementation
• assessing community needs and opportunities through communications and marketing
• providing information (brochures, trail guides, fact sheets, newsletters, reports)
• administrative, clerical and design support
• budgets, accounting and administration of payroll, benefits, personnel policies and employment legislation

Why?

• to ensure programs are consistent with watershed resources, management needs, community values and political and financial realities
• to ensure accountability to the community, partners and municipal and senior governments
• to provide programs that are cost-effective
• to maintain competent, highly trained and motivated staff to implement the Authority's programs
• to inform staff, members, stakeholders and the public of the Authority's programs and policies

Who Benefits/Participates

• municipalities benefit from targeted programs tailored to their specific environmental needs and economic realities
• municipalities, by joining together, enjoy environmental programs and services which would otherwise be too costly for individual municipalities
• landowners, community groups and municipalities benefit from funding which they could not access on their own
• taxpayers receive the most value for their dollars
• staff and members of the Conservation Authority