Reeve Richard Kidd is a board member of the MVCA, representing the Township of Beckwith
Uncertainty is one of the biggest concerns as eastern Ontario conservation authorities prepare to merge into a new regional body.
Beckwith Reeve and Richard Kidd and board member with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority, says while the move has been discussed for months, there are still many unknowns.
The provincially led plan will see the Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, South Nation and Raisin Region conservation authorities amalgamate into a single St. Lawrence River regional authority.
Kidd says mergers of this scale can be challenging, especially when bringing together organizations with different structures, budgets and ways of operating.
He adds there are also concerns about maintaining local input as governance shifts to the county level.
The province says they’ll maintain that local input through establishing advisory Watershed Councils on the municipal level with at least one council per regional Conservation Authority.
Despite those concerns, Kidd says the goal is to minimize disruption for residents.
He notes there are potential benefits, including more consistent service delivery across municipalities and fewer discrepancies between neighbouring watersheds.
The transition is expected to take time, with a provincially appointed leader guiding the process and serving as CEO for the first two years of the new organization.
Kidd adds that ensuring no communities are left behind will be key as the new authority works to standardize services and balance differing needs across the region.