Chatham-Kent is putting its foot down when it comes to people dumping waste in local rivers.
Council voted 17-1 to approve Councillor Carmen McGregor's motion addressing the problem of grass clippings and other organic yard waste being thrown into Chatham-Kent's rivers.
She says the waste flows downstream and clings to the break-walls and docks. The grass clippings then begin to deteriorate, causing an awful smell. The clippings also become slippery, which makes it dangerous for swimmers and boaters wishing to use the breakwalls or docks.
The motion calls for administration to bring a report back to council by the August 13 meeting. The report will include the best method of managing and preventing dumping of grass and organic yard waste into Chatham-Kent's water systems.
The report should also recommend a possible bylaw -- a new one or an amendment to an existing one -- and future education methods that could be used to inform communities.
