Resource Management

Hay Bay, in the western part of the Cataraqui Region watershed, is part of approximately 400 km of Great Lakes shoreline in our jurisdiction. The CRCA works with our municipal partners to ensure that land development occurs in a manner that maintains the quality of the natural environment.

With over 200 inland lakes, hundreds of kilometres of streams and a variety of wetlands and wildlife habitats, the Cataraqui Region has an abundance of natural resources.

It is important that our communities conserve these natural resources to maintain the region's diverse landscape and ecology, as well as protecting our drinking water.

We also need to protect people's lives and their property from natural hazards such as flooding and erosion, that are associated with natural resources, particularly water.

Natural resources do not stop at municipal boundaries so Conservation Authorities are set up on a watershed basis.

A watershed is all lands drained by a river or stream and its tributaries. It is usually defined by a height of land. Watersheds are also called drainage basins. The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority contains 11 watersheds.

For Conservation Authorities, the management of land and the management of water go hand-in-hand. This is the basis of the ecosystem approach to natural resource management.

Our strategic plan, Cataraqui to 2020, contains goals and objectives that guide our programs and activities. These include:

studying our natural resources to learn how to protect and manage them
maintaining a resource databse that includes maps, air photos and digital data
delivering forestry and other stewardship programs and providing advice and assistance to watershed residents
reviewing municipal planning documents and development applications to ensure that important natural features are protected and natural hazards are avoided
regulating development under our regulations (Ont. Reg. 148/06) to ensure that important natural features are protected and natural hazards are avoided
monitoring stream flows and water levels to forecast flooding and low water conditions
working with municipalities and residents on watershed-related projects
educating watershed residents about the natural environment and their role in protecting it for future generations
purchasing and managing land.

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