The Grey Sauble Conservation Authority and the Town of The Blue Mountains are going to talk about a new partnership for the management of the Clendenan Dam property near Clarksburg.
At its meeting on May 22, the conservation authority’s board of directors unanimously approved a resolution to enter negotiations with staff from The Blue Mountains about working out a new partnership agreement for the popular conservation area at Clendenan Dam.
The board gave its consent to the idea without any comment or dissent and the next step will be for The Blue Mountains staff to bring a report to town council about the idea.
Authority CAO Tim Lanthier said the Clendenan Dam property, located on the 10th Line just outside of Clarksburg, has become a very popular destination for local residents and visitors.
The property features a number of easy to moderate hiking trails and is a popular spot for fishing and dog walking.
Lanthier said as the property has grown in popularity and usage has increased, problems with off-leash dogs and mountain biking on the trails have arisen. He said conservation authority staff are spread thin and do not manage the property at the same level as other high-profile authority properties like Inglis Falls or Eugenia Falls.
Lanthier said the authority has been in discussions with senior staff at The Blue Mountains about the possibility of the town taking over management of the parking lot area of the property and using town bylaw staff to enforce the permitted uses of the Clendenan property.
“The Blue Mountains staff are much closer and could add it to their regular schedule,” he said.
The authority and the town have similar agreements on other conservation authority properties like Peasemarsh Nature Preserve, Fireman’s Park and the trail system in Clarksburg.
“I think it’s a good opportunity,” said Lanthier. “It lends itself well to enhancing the property and enhancing the use.”
The board of directors gave staff permission to negotiate and execute an agreement, should The Blue Mountains be interested in continuing the talks. Lanthier said if an agreement is reached, the board of directors would have to pass a resolution to allow town bylaw enforcement to patrol the property.
