Media Release
March 15, 2012

RVCA to Host Tay Open House

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) and its partners invite Tay watershed residents to join them at an upcoming open house. RVCA staff will be at the Perth Legion on April 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to present the Tay River Subwatershed Report 2011 and introduce residents to RVCA and partner programs designed to help landowners improve their watershed health. A formal presentation will take place at 6 p.m. and those interested in networking can come at 5 p.m. to enjoy barbecued hotdogs and burgers (while supplies last).

The Tay River watershed drains 800 square kilometres. It begins its journey at Carnahan Lake, south of the Town of Sharbot Lake and meanders northeast. The Tay drains water from 55 lakes like Bobs, Crow, Eagle and Long Lakes. It flows through rich farmland and the Town of Perth before emptying into the Lower Rideau Lake at Port Elmsley.  
 
The Tay River Subwatershed Report 2011 summarizes the Tay’s health by looking at four indicators: forest cover, wetlands, shoreline vegetation and surface water quality. With the completion of this report, residents and municipalities in the area now have a reliable set of baseline information for tracking future trends and for targeting stewardship activities.
 
The health of any watershed is heavily influenced by the good stewardship activities and decisions taking place on the land every day,” says Martin Czarski, RVCA Watershed Ecologist. “Landowners in the Tay are definitely doing their part to improve, protect and restore the watershed’s natural features.” Mr. Czarski is quick to add that the RVCA and other partner agencies can help support landowners with technical guidance and grants for on-the-ground efforts.  
 
“We can provide technical guidance and financial assistance to people interested in carrying out best management practices on their properties,” says Andrea Klymko, RVCA Lake Planning/Shoreline Stewardship Program Manager. “We can help with tree planting, shoreline naturalization, shoreline erosion protection, livestock fencing, fish habitat enhancements, garbage clean ups, and more.” The upcoming open house looks to connect Tay landowners with incentive programs which can often cover from 50 to 100 percent of project costs.
 
Subwatershed reporting is part of the RVCA’s watershed management mission that recognizes the connections between local awareness, local concern and local action as we work for environmental protection, preservation and enhancement. This information is used for decision-making at all levels (individual, family, municipal, county, provincial). These monitoring efforts help us better understand watershed trends and help focus resource management actions where they are needed the most.
 
This is the third subwatershed report following the release of the Middle Rideau River Subwatershed Report 2009 and the Jock River Subwatershed Report 2010. The Tay will be updated in 2017.
 
For a copy of the Tay River Subwatershed Report 2011, visit www.rvca.ca and look under “What’s New” or contact the RVCA at 1-800-267-3504.

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For more information:
Martin Czarski, RVCA Watershed Ecologist
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1163
[email protected]