The Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks has released a statement on York1's proposal to expand the old Dresden landfill.
Minister Andrea Khanjin said in Friday's notice that she has heard the concerns of the community and the municipality regarding the proposal.
"This site was established over 40 years ago, prior to Ontario’s requirement that landfills undergo an environmental assessment," said Khanjin. "In keeping with the process that any other landfill would be required to undergo today, I will be taking steps to require this project to complete a comprehensive environmental assessment under the Environmental Assessment Act."
The environmental assessment would require York1 to address local community concerns and mitigate potential impacts before it could open.
The statement was issued on the same day that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent sent their to the preliminary submission in response to York1's initial proposal to allow for an increase in waste processing capacity.
Council called on the province to reject the proposal for a waste processing, storage and transfer and landfilling facility at 29831 Irish School Road. Barring that, they asked for a full environmental assessment of the proposal.
“I would like to make it patently clear that I stand with the people of Dresden, with the people of Chatham-Kent, and with our neighbours in the County of Lambton,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “We all have serious concerns with this proposal from York1, and together with Council, we are taking action."
Council also authorized and directed administration to retain technical experts as may be required to advance concerns through the Ministry consultation process.
The Municipality said its also preparing a submission on the second application, regarding the proposed reopening of the closed landfill ahead of the April 11 submission deadline.
"I encourage everyone to visit the Let’s Talk page to get their information and to send comments on the Ontario Environmental Registry website,” said Mayor Canniff.
You can find more information on the project at the Let's Talk Page.
Comments can also be submitted to the Province on the applications. The deadline for submissions on the first application, the recycling proposal, is 11:59 p.m. on March 16.
Comments for the second proposal, regarding the landfill, will be open until April 11.
