During the past year, Lakehead Conservation budget expenditures were about $800,000.00 for the following services: administration of our flood and erosion control programs; flood forecasting and warning; plan input and review; watershed planning; operation and development of our Conservation Areas and associated lands; Hazelwood Lake Centre; and community relations.
Nineteen-ninety-eight marked the second year of no provincial transfer payment nor municipal levy for our recreation and conservation land management program. These funds are secured through many different methods, being primarily: self-generation (i.e., fee for service initiatives, etc.); user-fees (i.e., coin collection boxes at six Conservation Areas); Adopt-an-Acre program (i.e., donations from citizens); Lakehead Conservation Foundation fundraising; rental revenues from Hazelwood Lake Centre; and "in-kind" contributions from our watershed residents, clubs, businesses and agencies.
Both our coin collection boxes and Adopt-an-Acre revenues increased modestly from the prior year. We hope that this trend will continue as these dollars are very necessary to help fund the operating costs. Taxes alone on our conservation holdings during
1998 were just under $15,000.00. Previously, these taxes amounted to a little over $21,000.00. By applying for the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program for certain of our conservation holdings, it reduced our tax burden, although we incurred expenses comparable to what the tax savings were.
We were very fortunate to receive a large corporate donation for capital developments at Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area. Improvements included paving the path to the washroom and pavilion, a handicap rail on the pathway leading to the viewing mound, signage depicting amenities at this Area and two communal bird feeders. The public have been very generous by placing seed in the bird feeders.
Lakehead Conservation Foundation gave their first instalment of $30,000.00 towards the capital improvements at Cascades Conservation Area. The first task undertaken was clearing and grubbing the new parking lot followed by paving the parking surface and hydroseeding the berms. Clearing for the new pavilion also started. Funds were approved by the Federal Government towards costs of the new pavilion, which will get underway next year. An application for Ontario Heritage Funding was also submitted and discussions are underway with a local service club to fund a sight-impaired trail suitable for use by the physically challenged as well. The improvements at Cascades Conservation Area represent one component of the Forest Capital of Canada 2000 Legacy projects.
Seven short-term positions were available for students in conservation land maintenance and resource management studies. Through participation in co-op placement programs, three students obtained practical experience in their field of studies while providing a quality product to the Authority.
Lakehead Conservation gratefully acknowledges the support, either monetary or "in-kind", for the recreation and conservation land management program from watershed residents, clubs, agencies, businesses, and Lakehead Conservation Foundation, together with the traditional source of funds for our water management programs.
The achievements of Lakehead Conservation are highlighted throughout the 1998
Annual Report.
Originally
posted: Jan. 1999
