The Essex Region Conservation Authority's setting goals for the next ten years.
General Manager Richard Wyma says addressing phosphorus levels in Lake Erie and the Detroit River is top among its 45 priorities laid out in its new plan.
"If we want to get people to understand how important something like phosphorus is, we need to get them to understand how important it is to do changes in their own practices," he explains. "How we need to take a look at septics, how we need to take a look at stewardship and restoration programs."
Other key areas of focus for ERCA include dealing with climate change, encouraging green infrastructure within municipalities, connecting trails in the region, and growing green space.
Wyma would like to see more tax relief programs, in the next decade, for landowners who donate property to be turned into green space.
He adds that ERCA set a goal, back in 1995, of achieving 12% green space in Essex County by 2020, and that remains the goal, as it's now at 8.5%.
