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CRCA Chairs
Past & Present

  • Bob Morrison
    (2007 to present)
  • John Conley
    (2004-2006)
  • Ric Bresee
    (2002-2003)
  • Geraldine Dickson
    (2001)
  • Peter Jardine
    (1999 to 2000)
  • Larry Redden
    (1997 to 1999)
  • Stewart Fyfe
    (1992 to 1996)
  • John Conley
    (1987 to 1991)
  • Dennis W. Reed
    (1981 to 1986)
  • James Stoness
    (1977 to 1980)
  • William J. Elliott
    (1976)
  • James Stoness
    (1973 to 1975)
  • John D. Gilbert
    (1970 to 1972)
  • James D. McCowan
    (1965 to 1969)

History

The official opening of the CRCA Administration Office in 1975.
In the late 1930s and early 1940s, many areas of Ontario were realizing that they had serious land use problems.

Poor land use practices and lack of understanding of the inter-relationships among our natural resources were cited as causes. Water quality and quantity were major concerns. Fluctuations in water supply and poor water quality were evident in urban and rural areas of the Province.

Snowmelt and spring rains caused flooding problems in some communities, resulting in property damage and the loss of lives, especially within the flood plains of creeks and rivers. Other water problems resulted in periods of summer drought.

Inappropriate farming practices and lumbering caused changes in water levels and increased soil erosion in some areas. This affected not only the local fish and wildlife population, but all watershed residents.

In response to these problems, and the need to plan for post-war construction, a group of individuals representing government, universities and the private sector came together in 1941 at what has become known as the Guelph Conference. This group recommended, to the government, a course of action to meet the conservation and resources management needs of the province.

As a result of the Conference, the Province of Ontario, in cooperation with the federal government, initiated a comprehensive survey of the conservation problems in the Ganaraska watershed. The recommendations of this report, completed in 1943, led directly to the passage of the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario, in the spring of 1946. The passage of the Act signalled a new approach to conservation and resource management, by embodying three basic principles:

  • The watershed as a management unit
  • Local initiative and involvement
  • Municipal-provincial partnership.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority was formed, at the request of our member municipalities, in December 1964 by order-in-council. We are one of 36 conservation authorities operating in Ontario today.

EVENTS | CONSERVATION SERVICES | COMMUNITY RELATIONS | CONSERVATION LANDS | RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | FOUNDATION

Contact Us:
P.O. Box 160, Glenburnie, Ontario, Canada K0H 1S0
Telephone: (613) 546-4228
E-mail: crca@cataraquiregion.on.ca

©2009 Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority