Thames Canadian Heritage River Committee (TCHRC) Terms of Reference
January, 2005

Chair and Vice Chair

• elected members from the committee

• 3 year term, renewable (maximum 6 years)

Secretary

• staff of the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA)

Membership

• 10-15 people including:

  • interested members of the Thames River Coordinating Committee and its subcommittees, and

  • representatives of clubs, businesses, tourism organizations, stewardship councils, municipalities and government agencies from across the watershed with an interest in promoting the natural, cultural and recreational values of the watershed

Meetings

• held every other month or as necessary in a mutually agreed upon location

Committee Role/Mandate

A) Leadership

• provide leadership and guidance in promoting the natural heritage, cultural heritage and recreational values of the Thames River watershed

• be accountable to the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board (CHRB) regarding the designation of the Thames as a Canadian Heritage River

• act as the catalyst that drives the Thames Strategy into implementation

B) Promotion/Communications

• host an annual or occasional Thames River Symposium in various communities within the basin to share information about watershed projects and activities

• coordinate the publication of a regular Thames River Happenings newsletter to share information on watershed activities and projects

• utilize other communication venues (e.g. web site, newspaper column) as necessary

• maintain a stakeholder mailing list

• encourage stakeholders to adopt the Thames: A Canadian Heritage River label on their projects

• promote and distribute the Background Study and Thames Strategy documents to the public, schools, libraries and other interested groups and give presentations as requested

• initiate and/or coordinate research projects on aspects of the Thames River’s natural, cultural or recreational values as necessary

• support community groups’ efforts relating to CHRS values, where possible

C) Monitoring

• oversee annual Report Checklists to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System Secretariat; the UTRCA will take the lead

Definition: Stakeholder includes clubs, societies, associations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, municipalities, First Nations, and other individuals with a particular interest in the natural, cultural or recreational values of the watershed.

The Thames Canadian Heritage River Committee was formed in January, 2001.

TCHRC Chair and Vice Chair

• January 2001 - December 2003: Chair, Dr. Douglas Bocking;Vice Chair, Dr. Gerald Killan

• January 2004 to Present: Chair, Dr. Gerald Killan;Vice Chair, Dr. Michael Troughton

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