Ontario Power Generation

Madawaska
Standing Advisory Committee

Introduction:
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) have cooperated to optimize and balance the benefits of fish and wildlife resources, power production, recreation and flood control on the Madawaska River. Since 1997, by means of public consultation and the advice and guidance of a Public Advisory Committee, a new operating plan for the Madawaska River and a document detailing the Problems, Issues and Concerns brought forward by the public have been produced. The Public Advisory Committee (PAC) recommended that a Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) be established to monitor and advise on the implementation of the Madawaska River Water Management Plan. The SAC would be composed of a number of citizens representing a diversity of interests along the course of the river, some of whom might be members of the existing PAC. OPG and the MNR have committed to this course of action.

Mandate:
The Standing Advisory Committee will provide a mechanism for the public to contribute to the implementation of the water management plan, follow the progress of the plan’s implementation, and be aware of any issues or proposed changes to the plan. The formation of such a committee will not only enhance OPG and the MNR’s ability to deliver the management responsibilities outlined in the plan, but also provide a communication slink with the public to foster and maintain credible relationships. The members of the SAC will be broadly representative of the many and various interests and uses of the river throughout the watershed area. The SAC will report to the Madawaska Review Steering Committee, made up of senior management staff from OPG and the MNR. Final decisions on advice received from the SAC shall rest with the Steering Committee members whose agencies are responsible, in law, for the management of the water resource.

Roles:
The Standing Advisory Committee will perform the following activities:

• Review and advise on matters relating to the implementation of the Madawaska River Water Management Plan including:

  a) reviewing and recording all issues raised relating to the implementation of the Madawaska River Water Management Plan;
  b) advising OPG and the MNR on appropriate solutions to specific issues on the river;
  c) reviewing all data collected during the monitoring of the plan;
  d) reviewing all proposed minor amendments to the plan;
  e) reviewing all major amendments received by OPG and the MNR, and advising if they should be incorporated in the plan and under what terms of public consultation, or if the application should be considered at the next public review of the plan.

• Facilitate the partnership of groups, agencies, organizations, clubs or individuals with OPG and the MNR to assist in implementing the water management plan;
• Monitor the implementation of the plan and report annually on its progress;
• Produce a report at the end of five years to be distributed to regional Managers in OPG and the MNR;
• Assist OPG and the MNR in implementing communications and consultation by:

  a) seeking to ensure the participation of all interested parties (the general public, interests and interest groups) in any consultation process;
  b) jointly hosting formal public consultation sessions with OPG and the MNR;
  c) reviewing written requests from the public for changes to the plan and advising whether any such requests warrant a public review of the water management plan.

Composition:
The Standing Advisory Committee shall be composed of no more than 9 persons and no fewer than 6. Members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by OPG and the MNR on the basis of:

a) the knowledge and perspectives they can provide, rather than representing a specific constituency;
b) ensuring a diversity of perspectives or interests are represented, including fishing, recreation, cottagers, boating, tourism, conservation, protection, business, and municipal government, among others;
c) ensuring citizens represent reaches in the entire watershed and have a knowledge of the entire Madawaska River basin;
d) the majority of the members live in the Madawaska River basin geographic area;
e) demonstrated ability to work with other groups or organizations to form effective partnerships;
f) demonstrated ability to work with others in resolving issues.

Members shall be appointed to the committee for a term of three to five years, rotating three at a time.

Administration:
The following administrative rules shall apply to the functions of the Committee:

• The members shall select a Chair, a Vice-Chair and Committee Secretary who will be selected on an annual basis, and their terms may be extended by members.
• The members may establish an alternate person to represent them in their absence, but each member cannot miss more than one meeting per year.
• The members will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, such as travel and meals.
• Meetings will be held at the direction of the Chair, to a minimum of two meetings and a maximum of four per year. Additional meetings may be scheduled with the agreement of all members.
• The Chair shall be responsible for ensuring adequate notice to members of upcoming meetings, meeting agendas, and the overall conduct of meetings.
• In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall assume the responsibilities of the Chair.
• Co-Chairs from OPG and the MNR will be assigned to the Committee and will act in an advisory, facilitating and liaison capacity to the Committee.
• The Committee Secretary shall be responsible for preparing meeting agendas, placing items on the agenda at the request of committee members.
• OPG and the MNR shall provide secretarial support to the SAC. The secretary shall record Minutes of each meeting, including key discussion points and action items, if any.
• The Minutes shall be reviewed and approved by the SAC and available for public review.
• Recommendations of the SAC shall be arrived at by consensus decision-making. Where consensus is not achieved, majority and minority viewpoints will be noted.
• Recommendations of the SAC will be submitted to the OPG and MNR Co-Chairs and a decision on the recommendations will be made by the OPG Ottawa-St. Lawrence Plant Group Manager and the MNR Pembroke District Manager. A decision summary will be provided by these to the committee, including written descriptions of where and why they agree or disagree with the recommendations of the SAC.
• Meetings shall generally be open to the public, although the Committee shall have the right to meet in-camera where matters to be considered need to protect the privacy rights of individual(s).
• Meetings are working sessions; members of the public my observe the sessions and may make scheduled presentations if submitted to the Chair at least 10 days prior to the agenda being set for the next meeting, and SAC members notified.
• Other OPG and MNR staff may attend portions of committee meetings in the capacity of advisory or resource persons, and shall provide the committee with data and information on matters related to the review through presentations and upon members’ request.

Selection Process:
SAC members will be selected by OPG and the MNR. These will invite the public through advertisements and letters of invitation to submit an application of interest or a nomination. Applicants will be selected based on the criteria outlined previously, and an interview.

Location of Meetings:
SAC meetings will be held in different locations within the Madawaska River valley to allow greater public access to the meetings.

The minutes from the Committee's most recent meeting are available for download.

• Minutes - Dec 12, 2007
• Archived Minutes

Download the Committee's
5 year report 2000-2004.

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Download the Madawaska River Water Management Plan Review.

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