Walter Benotto Shelburne councillor Walter Benotto was elected Chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) board of directors at the authority's 49th annual general meeting, held last Friday.

A resident of Shelburne since 1984 and a town councillor since the late 1990s, he says his interest in conservation spans back to his childhood growing up on a farm in Melancthon Township.

"We had wetlands at the back of our farm and when you grow up hunting and fishing you develop an appreciation for wetlands and woodlots. I want to help preserve those for our children and future generations."

One of his main concerns as chair will be source water protection.

"The legislation and regulations are there, but written in broad strokes by Queen's Park; the details are still being worked out. This legislation protects both the source and flow of water and will affect the way municipalities grow."

Mr. Benotto said that even although 2008 was "a good year for rain, low water response will also continue to be a concern that the NVCA will monitor closely."

The 18 municipalities managed by the NVCA have only two representatives, making legislation difficult to implement. Walter says he hopes his five years as Vice Chair has "given him the experience to lead and do the best for all these municipalities."

A press release from the NVCA quoted him as saying he believes very strongly in the NVCA. "I believe in conservation and leaving behind a legacy for our children," he said, adding that continuing to build that legacy was one of his goals for 2009.

In particular, he hopes to see the NVCA increase the number of tree plantings and water restoration projects it undertakes. In 2008, the NVCA planted 88,300 trees and undertook more than 100 water quality improvement projects.

The Authority's jurisdiction is approximately 3,700 square kilometres and includes 18 municipalities in the counties of Simcoe, Dufferin and Grey.

Mr. Benotto said he also plans to continue the good work of his predecessors. "I would like to see the NVCA continue to lead the charge with the many projects required under Source Water Protection, and to continue Past Chair Fred Nix's work to bring forward problems with the province's Low Water Response Plan,"

Among the highlights of his work while on the board, he cited installing Drinking Water Protection Area signs in Shelburne to raise awareness of the vulnerability of drinking water, and creating an NVCA pond policy to protect area rivers and aquatic habitat.

Joan Sutherland, former councillor for the Town of New Tecumseth and now a citizen appointee to the NVCA, was acclaimed to the position of vice chair. She has been a member of the NVCA for almost 20 years.

The 2009 NVCA Executive Committee also includes Past Chair Fred Nix, of Mono; Coun. Mary Brett, Township of Adjala- Tosorontio; Coun. Rick Archdekin, Town of Wasaga Beach; Dufferin Warden and Mulmur Mayor Gord Montgomery, and Tom Elliott, citizen appointee for the Township of Springwater. The NVCA also welcomed three new board members: Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough, Township of Oro- Medonte; Coun. Mel Coutanche, Township of Oro-Medonte; and Gerald Poisson, citizen appointee for the City of Barrie.