STAYNER - Clearview Township council has passed a resolution calling for an independent review of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA).

Clearview views the NVCA’s fees as excessive and finds its planning services – the NVCA reviews and comments on building projects in the township – a waste as they duplicate the work that’s done by the municipality’s Planning Department.

In its resolution, the township stated: “…Clearview joins the call for an independent review of the NVCA and supports our fellow member municipalities in seeking a viable, long-term solution to the excessive fees and requirements of the NVCA for the sake of our residents.”

The resolution was moved by Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage and seconded by Councillor Shawn Davidson.

Council’s resolution also calls on Donna Cansfield, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources, to release a 2007 report that looked at conservation authorities and their mandates.

Township officials want to see what the review says.

The ministry has told Clearview officials in the past the report will be made public but so far that’s failed to happen.

A copy of the township’s resolution is being forwarded to Cansfield.

Savage said on Wednesday that the details about how an independent review of the NVCA might happen still have to be worked out.

She said several like-minded municipalities, including Essa Township, Mulmur Township, Melancthon Township and Oro-Medonte Township, have also passed resolutions calling for a review of the authority and its services.

Savage said that in the new year municipalities wanting the review will likely meet to work out a plan on how to proceed.

Ultimately, she said, it would be nice if the NVCA could focus its efforts more on the “science” of conservation instead of providing planning review services that are already available through the municipality.

The NVCA serves 18 municipalities in the 3,700-square-kilometre watershed, providing conservation and planning services.

The organization is funded primarily through user fees and taxes levied from member municipalities

A board of directors, comprised of representatives from member municipalities, oversees the authority.

There are 36 conservation authorities operating in Ontario.

The organizations began popping up after the provincial government of the day passed the Conservation Authorities Act in 1946.

Conservation Ontario – a network of the province’s conservation authorities – states on its website the authorities were set up to “…ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible management of Ontario’s water, land and natural habitats through programs that balance human, environmental and economic needs.”

The NVCA – its office is based in Essa Township – will celebrate its 50th year in 2010.