OFA provides comments to the Conservation and Source Protection Branch regarding regulatory proposals (Phase 1) under the Conservation Authorities Act. Ontario’s conservation authorities provide a watershed level planning perspective that transcends municipal borders, one that OFA supports and one that deserves support from the province and municipalities. OFA emphasizes that the principle resource-based land use within areas of Ontario where conservation authorities operate is agriculture. Provincially, the protection of Ontario’s prime agricultural areas for their long-term agricultural use is a key objective. Some logistical considerations must be worked out in transitioning conservation authorities to this new approach. OFA recommends that land stewardship programs, such as agricultural stewardship programs, be deemed mandatory programs to be delivered by the conservation authorities. These land stewardship programs often provide benefits towards water quality and quantity which support the conservation authorities’ key mandate.