Robert Rock named the Kawartha Conservation Board Chair

DAN CEARNS, The Standard

SCUGOG: Scugog's Ward 3 Councillor, Robert Rock has been named the Kawartha Conservation authority board Chair. The decision was made during a meeting, on Thursday, February 23rd. Kawartha Lakes Ward 2 Councillor, Pat Warren was acclaimed as the Board's Vice Chair.

In a statement Councillor Rock said, "I'm very excited to take on this role," he continued, "I think there is a bit of a rocky road ahead, and I'm excited to be the Chair during this slightly tumultuous time. I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and [to] all of us as a group working together to find new paths, as necessary, as laws potentially continue to change."

Kawartha Conservation is an organization created under the Conservation Authorities Act which manages natural resource features and protects the Kawartha watershed.

"Committed to protecting private and public property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion, Kawartha Conservation also provides advice on the appropriate use of land, issuing permits for construction and development, and implementing strategies to mitigate risks. Kawartha Conservation also addresses the impacts of climate change on the region," a Kawartha Conservation press release explained.

The previous Chair of the board was former Kawartha Lakes mayor Andy Letham. Councillor Rock was originally nominated to sit on the Kawartha Conservation board, in October of 2021, following the resignation of former councillor Angus Ross. He was then reappointed to the board following the 2022 municipal election.

Other North Durham and Kawartha Lakes representatives on the board include: Kawartha Lakes councillors Tracy Richardson and Eric Smeaton, Scugog Councillor Harold Wright, Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Councillor Jeff Forbes and Brock Township Councillor Cria Pettingill.