PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1976, WHITBY FREE PRESS Outgoing chairman: Financial restraints could limit work of CLOCA in 1976 by JACKIE ROTH The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) has had a "very busy" year, according to Robert (Bob) White,chairman of the authority for 1975. However, he warned that financial restraints could limit the authority's work in 1976. Speaking at CLOCA's annual meeting, Mr. White cautioned incoming authority members that they are ."entering our authority in times of financial restraint. You will not have too much scope for making giant steps in furthering conservation for our constituents", he advised. He pointed out, however, that normal strides could have "a far more lasting effect" towards benefitting conservation areas. Mr. White said he is con- vinced that the budget "represents a responsible approach to the affairs of this conservation authority in these times". He said that the programs show a minimum cost needed to efficiently maintain and administer services provided for the public. Mr. White reported that much time and effort was expended last year on imi- proving facilities and services for the residents. CLOCA includes parts of Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, Newcastle, Pickering, Scugog and Ux- bridge. Mr. White said that, in the past year, the authority has completed the acquisition of 494 acres of conservation lands at a cost of $1,800,000. This brings the total of lands held by the authority to over 1,800 acres at a cost of $2,500,000. A conservation area is land acquired by the authority for many conservation purposes. It may involve water conser- vation .and flood control reserviors, flood plain lands, wetlands or any other land required for conservation work. The land can be devel- oped for forestry, soil erosion control, wildlife management recreation. Mr. White said the authority is "particularly pleased" with the acquisition, in 1975, of 85 acres of land situated on the Oshawa Creek north of Taunton Road. He said that this area will be studied and developed over the next few years,_ and "should result in a very enjoyable area, close to *,a major segment , of our population". Mr. White said that the Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby is another source of pride. He said that development in this area will "no doubt improve the habitat for wildlife and allow the public a unique opportun- ity to view nature at lier best". "In the management of water resources the autlhority lias continued to exercise its judgement in accordance with the Conservation Autiorities Act and the autliority's regulations, in the best interest ci' public safety", Mr. White said. Engineering projects -have been completed to establish up-to-date flôodline mapping. Mr. White said that pressure from development in the area has increased the workload of authority members and staff. Experience '75, a student employment program spon- sored by the Ontario govern- ment, allowed 23 students to work for CLOCA last summer, he . reported. Mr. White said that Experience '75 helped CLOCA to provide "useful, informative and, we hope, enjoyable summer employment". The authority also spon- sored a Local Initiatives Project through Canada Manpower and Immigration. The project is providing employment to four people for up to 22 weeks. Mr. White said that the program is "improving the authority's public facilities in a manner which could not be provided through our normal programs". In L975 an education officer was added to CLOCA's staff. Mr. White said the education officer will contri- ,bute material to prograns nvolving area school boards. "This aspect of the authority's work will prove to be a very important ,service to the public in future years", lie said. Mr. White was elected last year to the executive of the Chairiien 's Committee of the Ontario Conservation Authorities. -le was one of three representatives from •TUESDAY FAMILYSPECIAL• IFREEFIR When you buy a Thrift Box (one whole chicken) at the regular price of $4.25, you get FREE 8 fl. oz. Salad French Fries for 3 TUESD1S YOusj YOU SAVE Colonel Sanièrs and Ns boys make it fnger lickin good totfl cIickenVÉ#&i avNTARLO,-SEE Y R PHONE BOO F T ENNEAREST VOU. the 11 Central Ontario Region Conservation Author- ities. The committee comments on new legislation proposed by the government in environmental and resource matters. "I am grateful for having had the opportunity to serve on the committee because the experience has been most informative and I hope that my presence on New chairman: this committee has been helpful to the conservation authorities movement", he said. Mr. White said that incoming members are res- ponsible for the future of the authority. "The work you have ahead of you will not be easy but- I have confidence you will discharge your responsibil- ities in a fashion which will be to your tredit", he said. Mr. White closed by mentioning a winter program which originated three years ago at the Enniskillen Conservation Authority. This program provided opportuni- ties for skating, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. "It is my hope that all of our authority's programs will be received by the public in a similar manner", he said. Acquisition of land may be curtailed The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority's pro- gram of land acquisition will be slowed down somewhat by financial restraint, feels John Goodwin, 1976 CLOCA Chairmen. The Central Ontario Joint Planning Board, in 1973, recomnended that, by 1993, CLOCA should have in its possession 9,200 acres of land. The 18-year old authority currently owns 1,800 acres in greater Whitby-Oshawa-tew- castle area which has a population of about 180,000 and represents a big portion of the land under CLOCA's jurisdiction. That boils down to about one acre of land, whiclh could be described as regional parks, per 100 people. The COJPB also recon- nended that CLOCA spend approximately $2-million per year on land acquisition to ieet the 1993 target. To date, CLOCA lias been able to follov that reconnien- giatjon wih, equal finding' from ithe province and the nunicipalities. Fowever, because of provincial and regional re- straints, CLOCA will only s)end about 3546,000 on land acquisition in 1976, far short of the $2,112,000 recom- nended by the COJPB. CLOCA nay also have to cut back on development of its land. t "The consequence is that it will take a longer time to get where we should be 20 years from now", Mr. Good- win said. le pointed out, however, tlat residents will not likely notice the cutbacks on their 1976 tax bills because of the region's past decision to debenture al] 1974 and 1975 capital works until this year when the -first payments becone due. t s S( s John Goodwin, the new chairman of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, sits beside a copy of the CLOCA symbol, the ruffed grouse. Mr. Goodwin predicts ,that CLOCA's land acquisition program will be slowed down somewhat by financial restraint in 1976. Free Press Photo The end result of the "It is our intention to region's previous decision o debenture is that, although lhe conservation authority is pending less, the taxpayers will notice little or no avîngs. Despite the restraints, CLOCA will continue the ervicing portion - of its operation-staffing and main- taining its land, iînspecting creek valleys and issuing fill permits, Mr. Goodwin said. He believes that the restraints will not affect the ultimate role of CLOCA. continue to identify the environmental concerns in all phases of development", Mr. Goodwin said. "During the course of development, the municipal- iîty is even present to speak of its needs and the developers certainly aren't bashful about speaking on their behalf", he said. "Who speaks for the environmîîent? That is the role of the conservationauthority", Mr. Goodwin said. Former Whitby Councillor and Acting Mayor John Goodwin was elected Chair- man of the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Author- ity for 1976 at the authority's recent annual meeting. He replaces Bob White, also of Whitby. Mr. Goodwin is one o three CLOCA members appointed by the province. The others are Leslie Coombes, who finished se- cond in the ballotting for the chairmanship, and Victor Kitchen. The renaining 10 menbers of CLOCA are elected representatives of the various niunicipalities within the not1haritv'sdutisdictiochWhDL have been appointed to the region. John Aker of Oshawa was elected Vice-Chairman for 1976. The advisory boards will be chaired by Joy Thompson of Whitby, conservative areas, replacing Vic Kitchen; Alan Pilkey of Oshawa, lakeshore development, replacing Clare Balsdon; and Vic Kitchen, natural resources, replacing Edgar James. Other CLOCA members are '3ob Carson (Whitby), Don Lawrence (Ajax), Ann Cowman (Newcastle), Bruce Tink (Newcastle), John How- den (Oshawa), Alex Robert- son (Pickering) and Robert Kenney (Scugog). Open 7 dajs o week Maple leaf RESTAURANT 120 BROCK ST. N. WHITBY - TEL.: 668-9461 Delicious Canodinan d Ialien Dishes r I -l -# ~ Goodwin replaces White as chairman of CLOCA