Monthly Archive

RVCA Waiving Fees at Local Conservation Areas

Rideau Valley Watershed, March 17, 2020 — RVCA is waiving fees at its Conservation Areas as public health officials encourage people to get out and enjoy a walk during these stressful times. All trails and boardwalks owned and operated by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority will be open to the public free of charge until April 6, 2020. Interpretive centres and other facilities including washrooms and outhouses will be closed however to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff.

“We recognize that this is a stressful time for people as everyone takes steps to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus” said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, RVCA General Manager. “We hope that our 11 conservation areas can provide some comfort by offering local residents with a close-to-home outdoor escape where they can enjoy a relaxing walk in a beautiful natural setting”.

Many studies show that time spent in nature reduces stress levels, enhances mental attitude and of course improves physical health. While enjoying our conservation areas we ask that people maintain social distancing and avoid gathering in groups or touching common surfaces.

“We have more than 40 kilometres of trails through mixed hardwood forests, meadows and wetlands,” says Casgrain-Robertson. “We hope families will come and explore our many hiking trails and scenic lookouts especially while schools are closed.”

Conservation Areas in the Rideau watershed include:

• Chapman Mills Conservation Area – Barrhaven/Riverside South
• Baxter Conservation Area – Kars
• Meisel Woods Conservation Area — Crow Lake
• Mill Pond Conservation Area – Portland
• Perth Wildlife Reserve – Perth
• Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Area – Rideau Ferry
• Foley Mountain Conservation Area – Westport

Visit www.rvca.ca/consevation-areas for a complete listing of locations,

RVCA Offices Closed to Public

Rideau Watershed, March 17, 2020 — The health, safety and well-being of our visitors and staff is our top priority. RVCA is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with the following changes in operations and programming effective immediately:

• The RVCA Administrative Centre (3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick) is closed to the general public.
• Meetings and events scheduled at the RVCA Administrative Centre are cancelled.
• Education programming and rentals at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas are cancelled.
• Interpretive centres and privies at RVCA Conservation Areas are closed to the general public. The trails remain open for physical and mental health benefits and will be available free of charge until April 6, 2020.
• All essential services including RVCA’s flood forecasting and warning operations and planning and permitting remain active.

Staff will continue to provide service over the phone and through email. Please call 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 or search online at www.rvca.ca/directory for a directory of services and contact information. Permits and other hard copy documents can be dropped off in our drop box at RVCA Administrative office or emailed to the appropriate staff member. Payment can be taken over the phone at 613-692-3571 ext. 1100.

Theses decisions are in response to recent measures implemented across the province. As of today, we plan to reopen on Monday, April 6, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as more information becomes available. Please check the RVCA website and social media platforms for updates. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated.

RVCA’s outdoor facilities at our developed Conservation Area will remain open for public use; only the interpretive centres and privies will be closed. The public are invited to use our outdoor trails and boardwalks free of charge until April 6, 2020. Visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas for a complete listing of locations and amenities.

Ottawa Conservation Authorities to Work with Provincial and Municipal Partners on Flooding Strategy

March 12, 2020 — With the spring thaw top of mind for residents who were affected by significant flooding along the Ottawa River in 2019, the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley and South Nation Conservation Authorities welcome the coordinated approach that Ontario proposes to build between federal and provincial governments, local municipalities, Conservation Authorities and indigenous partners to protect people and property from the devastating and costly impacts of flooding.

On March 9, 2020, John Yakabuski, the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, released Ontario’s Flooding Strategy in response to the Flood Advisor’s 2019 Report, clearly indicating that Conservation Authorities will have a continued role to play in the shared responsibility on strengthening the approach to flooding.

According to Minister Yakabuski in a news release published by the Province on March 9: "We're listening to people from across the province who have been affected by flooding, and that is why we're taking a whole-of-government approach and calling on the federal government, our municipal partners, conservation authorities, industry and Indigenous communities to work with us to implement the actions contained in this strategy." 

The Strategy focuses on five priority areas: 

• Understanding Flood Riskthrough updated floodplain mapping and increasing access to flood-related information.
• Strengthening Governance through provincial policy to ensure local development is directed away from areas where flooding and erosion present unacceptable risks.
• Enhancing Flood Preparednessusingstate-of-the art science and technology. 
• Enhancing Response and Recoveryby improving how we receive and respond to municipal requests for assistance.
• Investing in Flood Risk Reductionby working with the federal government to increase investment in critical areas like mapping and infrastructure.

Ontario’s Flooding Strategy also calls for the update of existing natural hazard technical guidelines used to support municipal and Conservation Authority implementation of flood programs and activities, which was a key request throughout consultations.

“We are pleased to be working with the Province and sharing our flood management expertise and watershed approach to deliver services and programs,” said Sally McIntyre, General Manager, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority. “We look forward to learning how the Strategy will support sustainable funding for flood forecasting and operations, flood proofing of existing structures and stewardship of wetlands to mitigate flooding.”

“We look forward to enhancing our long-standing partnership with the province,” said Sommer Casgrain-Robertson, General Manager, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. “Local Conservation Authorities are well-positioned to support the province’s strategy and we will look to better serve our watershed municipalities and residents through our unique watershed approach and our extensive expertise and experience in flood risk management, mitigation
and preparedness.”

“We thank the Provincial Government for highlighting the important role that Conservation Authorities play in understanding flood risk and mitigation within the Ontario Flooding Strategy,” said Angela Coleman, General Manager and Secretary Treasurer, South Nation Conservation. “We look forward to working with all levels of Government to better protect people and property from natural hazards, such as flooding.”

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Winter Work on Hutton Creek Marsh Restoration Complete

ELIZABETHTOWN-KITLEY, March 11, 2020 – Winter restoration work on the Hutton Creek Marsh is now complete to the delight of the many dedicated partners who made the project possible.

This work completes Phase 2 of a long-term project to bring the provincially significant wetland near Lombardy back to a more natural, productive state. Over the years, the provincially significant wetland located near Lombardy had become a monoculture: choked and overgrown with cattails. Only 10 per cent of the marsh was open water which had negative impacts on its biology, ecology and hydrology.

Hutton Creek Marsh is an amazing sample of Ontario’s provincially significant wetlands. This 300-hectare marsh found upstream of the Motts Mills Berm is part of the much larger Otter Lake - Hutton Creek Wetland Complex which covers 722 hectares. Five individual wetlands make up a palustrine wetland complex, meaning there is a permanent flow of surface water into the wetland from various creeks and out below the Motts Mills Berm into Hutton Creek and on downstream to the Rideau River.

In 2015, the nearby Motts Mills Dam was decommissioned and replaced with an earthen berm. In 2017, the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) lowered local water levels to help staff study the wetland and determine the best way to address the crowded cattails. In 2019, work began to increase the open water features of the marsh. Crews looked to build 1.5 acres of open water ponds and add 500 metres of channels to help return the wetland to a healthier hemi-marsh state (50 per cent vegetation and 50 per cent open water). 

These improvements will support increased diversity for various plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and turtles. This healthier water-to-vegetation ratio is also ideal for waterfowl. Creating more open water will also restore local access for paddling and hunting. It is hoped that the diversity and abundance of species will return to what was in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some final work will be done this in the coming months to add habitat structures, distribute vegetation seeds and plant water-loving shrubs at the construction site.

Special thanks to the dedicated group of local stakeholders and funders who made this project possible including Ducks Unlimited Canada, Leeds and Grenville Stewardship Council, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Zone F, the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (UCLG), Wildlife Habitat Canada, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation.

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