These aspects will cost approximately $14,000,000 and will be financed by the 

 Authority and the Province of Ontario on a 50-50 basis. 



The major features of this plan include the construction of 15 multiple- 

 purpose dams and reservoirs, the construction of associated channel improvements 

 in vulnerable areas, the acquisition of 7,458 flood plain lands within seven of the 

 watersheds, and the extension of the existing flood warning system. 



In addition to these measures, certain other ancillary measures will also be 

 carried out. These ancillary measures involve reforestation, wildlife management, 

 soil conservation projects, and the development of recreation and nature 

 facilities. 



The agreements call for this $38,000,000 scheme to be carried out over a 

 ten-year period. 



Prior to the signing of this agreement, certain work was carried out, 

 particularly on a tributary of the Humber River known as "Black Creek" in North 

 York Township. This involved channel improvement measures and the building 

 of a low flood retardation dam. Some channel improvement work has also been 

 carried out on the lower portion of the Humber River. Over 1,300 acres of 

 flood plain lands have been acquired by this Authority prior to the signing of the 

 agreement. 



The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority signed a similar agreement 

 in 1961 to carry out flood prevention and water control measures in the upper 

 portion of that watershed. These measures were called for in the Upper Thames 

 River Conservation Report of 1952 and the Fanshawe Dam was the first step 

 in the carrying out of a complete flood control plan for that watershed. At an 

 estimated cost of $9,640,000, the scheme for the Thames River Valley involves 

 the building of five dams and channel improvement measures at Mitchell, 

 Woodstock and St. Mary's. In 1962 the Minister of Lands and Forests and the 

 Federal Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources approved the 

 inclusion of the Stratford scheme on the Avon River under the agreement at 

 an estimated cost of $435,000. This agreement is also to be carried out over 

 a ten-year period. 



The A usable River Conservation Authority is the third Authority to have 

 signed an agreement with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario 

 to carry out flood control and water conservation measures. Their agreement 

 signed in 1961 calls for the construction of a dam near Parkhill at a cost of 

 $1,000,000. Construction is expected to get underway in 1963. 



Soil Conservation and Land Use 



Authority projects in soil conservation are an important part of the over-all 

 conservation program. By their very nature, however, these projects are often 

 less spectacular than the building of dams for flood control or the development 

 of conservation lands for recreation. 



In Ontario, the use and management of the soil is primarily the concern 

 of the landowner. His management program is dictated by his interest in farming, 

 experience, and by economics. The major government responsibility for advancing 

 programs in agriculture is vested in the Department of Agriculture. 



The place of Conservation Authorities in soil conservation programs is largely 

 that of publicizing the need for and the value of proper soil management. In 

 their programs, the Authorities work in close liaison with the Department of 

 Agriculture and with the Ontario Agricultural College. The county agricultural 



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