Hurricane Hazel caused the Humber River to break its banks, leading to at least six deaths in Woodbridge. | Torstar file photo

If managing flood risk is their core mandate, why are so many people flooded out year after year?

Climate change and more severe weather events have something to do with it, but the biggest factor is how cities and towns were built in the first place.

While no new development can be built within the 100-year floodplain, many homes and cottages existed before regulations came into force, "grandfathering" their existence.

Floodplain mapping and programs like tree planting and shoreline restoration are part of building natural flood resilience into the environment, by supporting healthy forests and wetlands.

Is that where some of those pesky permits and battles between development rights and environmental protections come into play?

Large-scale development regulations are in force to manage and mitigate the risk, which also includes floodplain mapping, monitoring and infrastructure upkeep.

To prevent damage from future floods, conservation authorities can also require individual landowners in the floodplain to elevate buildings, electrical equipment and septic systems when they're renovating or rebuilding a home.

So "authority" means regulatory red tape, right?

Wrong. Conserving natural resources for economic, social and environmental benefits is also part of their role. Their services include everything from building trails and walkways to water testing, source water protection, outdoor education, stewardship programs, commenting on the environmental effects of proposed development, environmental studies and watershed management and protection.

Adrian O'Driscoll looks out at the trails at Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan. | Torstar file photo

Who is "they"?

Each conservation authority has its own board of directors, comprised of members appointed by local municipalities; most are elected municipal officials.

Who is responsible for managing the watersheds and flood control in York Region and Simcoe County?

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) oversees watershed restoration services, including ecological and Lake Simcoe phosphorus-offsetting programs for the 3,400 square kilometres across 20 municipal borders in its jurisdiction, from the Oak Ridges Moraine in the south to the Oro Moraine in the north, through York and Durham regions, Simcoe County and the cities of Kawartha Lakes, Barrie and Orillia.

It partners with the watershed municipalities to execute stormwater retrofits, low-impact development and ecological projects funded by these programs, paid in large part through grants, municipal partners and the private sector.

The Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) includes nine watersheds and the cities of Toronto, Markham and Vaughan.

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) covers land running from Wasaga Beach up to Bradford West Gwillimbury.

Show me the money!

The majority of funding comes from municipalities, special contracts, user fees and support from the public and private sector. Private individuals have also donated land to the organizations.

The typical breakdown of funding sources for conservation authorities includes:

• Municipal levies — 53 per cent

• Self-generated revenue — 35 per cent

• Provincial grants and special projects — 8 per cent

• Federal grants or contracts — 4 per cent

DISCLAIMER: These poll results are not scientific. They are the informal findings of a survey presented to the readers of yorkregion.com, and reflect the opinions of those readers who have chosen to participate. The survey is available online to anyone who is interested in taking it.