Jane Mitchell has been acclaimed to a third, one-year term as chair of the Grand River Conservation Authority.
The election took place at a Jan. 25 GRCA board meeting.
Mitchell, who represents the Region of Waterloo on the board, was first elected to the position in 2011. Prior to that, she served as first vice-chair from 2007 to 2010.
Also returned by acclamation at the meeting were First Vice-chair Vic Prendergast of Brantford and Second Vice-chair Jan D’Ailly of the Region of Waterloo
Mitchell said a number of initiatives in 2013 will help the environment and also put the GRCA on a sound financial footing.
She pointed to the work being done by municipalities to upgrade sewage treatment plants and the ongoing efforts of the Rural Water Quality Program as activities that are helping to improve water quality. She noted, too, that work on a Water Management Plan, which is addressing water quality, flooding and water supply issues, is nearing completion.
Funding, particularly from the provincial government, “also continues to be a problem,” she said. “With a provincial election looming we must continue to advocate for the GRCA.”
At the same time, the GRCA is taking steps to increase the revenue it generates itself. A project is underway to develop a hydro-electricity plant at the Parkhill Dam in Cambridge. In addition, new business plans are being drafted for the GRCA’s conservation areas which could lead to additional revenue.
The GRCA board is made up to 26 members appointed by the municipalities of the Grand River watershed. They elect a chair and two vice-chairs at the first meeting of each year.
