Working together across Eastern Lake Ontario
Crowe Valley Conservation is working alongside six neighbouring conservation authorities to ensure a smooth, successful transition to the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority (ELORCA).
The region brings together communities, landscapes and waterways stretching from the Kawartha Lakes to Brockville. Through this transition, the seven conservation authorities are working collaboratively to bring their local knowledge, scientific expertise and experience together in support of the region and its individual watersheds.
Last Updated: October 20, 2026
Connected waterways. Shared expertise. Local knowledge.
Water connects communities across the region. The Trent-Severn Waterway is one important example, linking lakes and rivers through communities such as Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Lakefield, Peterborough, Hastings, Campbellford and Trenton.
The seven conservation authorities bring experience in understanding local water conditions, managing natural hazards, protecting conservation lands and supporting watershed health. Working together creates opportunities to share knowledge, coordinate monitoring and planning, and respond to challenges that extend across existing organizational boundaries.
Regional collaboration can support a broader view of these challenges while keeping the distinct needs of individual watersheds and communities at the centre of the work.
A region connected by water and landscape
The ELORCA region extends across a diverse landscape, from the Kawartha Lakes through the Peterborough and Trent River areas, along eastern Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte, and east through the Cataraqui area toward Brockville.
It brings together inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, forests, farmland, growing communities and shoreline environments. Across this geography, local watershed knowledge will help inform coordinated work at the regional scale.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is ELORCA? | The Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Conservation Authority (ELORCA) is the regional conservation authority being established through Ontario’s consolidation of conservation authorities. It is the regional authority that will bring together Kawartha, Cataraqui, Crowe Valley, Ganaraska, Lower Trent, Otonabee and Quinte Conservation Authorities. Local programs and services will continue, including flood forecasting and warning, permit review, stewardship, watershed monitoring and conservation area management. You can continue to access these services through Crowe Valley Conservation and the local staff who support our communities. This page will provide updates on the work to bring the participating conservation authorities together. |
| Why are conservation authorities consolidating, and how will this benefit our region? | The Government of Ontario has directed the consolidation of Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into nine regional organizations to strengthen watershed management and provide more consistent services. For our region, bringing conservation authorities together creates opportunities to share scientific and technical expertise, improve access to technology and resources, and coordinate work that protects communities from flooding and other natural hazards. This work will build on the local knowledge, relationships and conservation efforts already established across the region. Local programs and services will continue, with a shared focus on protecting people and property, supporting healthy watersheds and meeting the needs of our communities today and into the future. |
| When will the transition take place? | The Conservation Authorities Act defines the transition date as February 1, 2027, or a later date prescribed by regulation. We will share transition updates and progress on this page and through our regular communications channels. |
| Will fees, office locations or contact details change? | Local programs and services are not changing as a result of consolidation. Continue to use the fees, office locations and contact details listed on your local conservation authority’s website. |
| I am planning a project. Where do I apply for a permit? | If your property is within Crowe Valley Conservation’s jurisdiction, continue to apply through Crowe Valley Conservation. Visit our Property and Development Inquiry Submit an Inquiry and submit Inquiry Form as your first step. |
| If I make a donation to Crowe Valley Conservation will it stay local? | Any donation made to Crowe Valley Conservation Authority, whether a financial contribution or a donation of land, will remain with Crowe Valley Conservation and be used locally. Donations will continue to support conservation initiatives, projects and priorities within the Crowe Valley Conservation watershed, ensuring your contribution directly benefits the local environment and communities you care about. |
| How can I follow the progress of the transition and learn what ELORCA will mean in the future? | This page will provide transition updates, explain progress and answer questions about ELORCA as the regional organization takes shape. We will continue adding information about regional governance, transition milestones and how the participating conservation authorities are working together to support local watersheds and communities. If your question is not answered here, contact us so we can help and use recurring questions to improve these FAQs. |
| How will municipal dollars be distributed and how are local projects going to be funded? | The existing 2027 budgets are the starting point, and approved projects and funding commitments are expected to continue. The combined budgets will still need careful review, and some decisions may be needed to meet regional priorities. The 2028 budget will be the first developed under the regional model. How municipal contributions are shared and local projects are funded is still being worked through. The aim is to keep local watershed priorities reflected in those decisions while coordinating investments across the region. |
| Are project funds coming from one big pot or through each municipal partner? | For 2027, existing funding arrangements remain in place. Projects will continue to draw on municipal contributions, grants and other approved funding sources. Municipalities will receive levy notices as they do today. From 2028, notices setting out municipal contributions will go to participating upper-tier and single-tier municipalities. Counties and regions will have flexibility in allocating costs among their lower-tier municipalities. The details of project funding under the regional model are still being developed with municipal partners. |
| How will the new Board function, particularly with respect to hearings, given the potential for residents to have to travel a long distance? | Board procedures and hearing arrangements are still being developed, so there is no confirmed answer yet on where hearings will take place or how residents will participate. Other conservation authorities have hearing committee models that can help inform that work. Staff will be asked to identify plan review, permitting, hearing and judicial files. A small team will use this information to document the status of existing files and identify any matters requiring particular attention during the transition. |
| Will each current CA remain a district of ELORCA, or will our organizational identity change completely? | No decision has been made on whether the current conservation authorities will become districts, or on long-term office names and branding. Local offices and watershed connections will remain important, with a strong local presence expected on February 1. ELORCA's identity will take shape over time, drawing on the history and expertise of the seven organizations and the people they serve. The new Board's strategic planning work will help guide that direction. |
| If a staff member including department managers leave their role or retire before or during the transition, will those roles be filled? | Maintaining programs and services across all seven conservation authorities remains a priority throughout the transition. To support operational continuity, vacancies will generally be filled as they arise based on operational needs. As the organization evolves, decisions about staffing will continue to be guided by service delivery requirements while creating opportunities for growth, development, and collaboration across the new organization. |
| Will employees who are on an approved leave of absence (i.e., sick leave, maternity leave, etc.) during the transition period and who are expected to return after the transition takes place be affected in any way? (i.e., job protection upon return, pension buy-back, benefit contributions during leave, etc.) | Employees who are on an approved leave of absence during the transition will continue to be supported and protected under applicable legislation and current employment practices. The organization remains committed to supporting employees' successful return to work when they are ready. While employment policies will be reviewed over time as part of the transition process, employees should expect current leave, benefit, and return-to-work practices within their conservation authority to remain in place into 2027. |