On November 7, 2025, the provincial government opened public consultation on an Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO #025-1257) proposal to consolidate Ontario’s 36 conservation authorities into 7 large regional authorities. Under this proposal, a new Northeastern Ontario Regional Conservation Authority would be created by merging four existing conservation authorities — Nickel District, North Bay-Mattawa, and Sault Ste. Marie. This new regional conservation authority would span a large geographic area forming a single fragmented organization stretching from Sault Ste. Marie north to Timmins and southeast to Mattawa and include 19 municipalities.

See our page on the proposed amalgamation for information to help you provide comment to the ERO posting.

Updates to the Conservation Authorities Act require that conservation authorities develop a series of plans and strategies by the end of 2024. These guiding documents will help us continue to fulfil our mandate, maintain our lands and manage natural hazard risks and natural resources in our jurisdiction.

About the Conservation Authorities Act

The Conservation Authorities Act is designed to provide for the organization and delivery of programs and services that further the conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in watersheds in Ontario. The Act and its accompanying regulations have been amended by the Province of Ontario since 2017.

About Ontario Regulation 686/21

In 2021, Ontario Regulation 686/21 under the Conservation Authorities Act set out the mandatory programs and services to be delivered by Conservation Authorities in Ontario. This regulation also requires that conservation authorities prepare a number of plans and strategies by the end of 2024.

Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy (December 2024)

The purpose of the MRCA Watershed-Based Resource Management Strategy is to inform the design of Mattagami Region Conservation Authority programs and services and assist with evolving or enhancing their cost‑effective delivery.

The objectives of the MRCA Watershed Strategy are:

• To reduce or mitigate the risk to life and property from flooding and erosion.
• To mitigate the risk to municipal drinking water sources and to ensure a sustainable and clean water supply for communities.
• To conserve nature and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and education.

Conservation Area Strategy (December 2024)

The purpose of the MRCA Conservation Area Strategy is to provide a clear set of objectives to inform decision-making related to our owned or controlled lands. This document establishes land use categories that will inform the associated Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Land Inventory.

Land Inventory (December 2024)

The purpose of the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Land Inventory is to identify the lands owned and controlled by the MRCA, including details of the land uses and dates and means of acquisition. Conservation authorities maintain their land inventories as internal documents that are updated from time to time to reflect changes to landholdings.