Urgent Opposition to Bill 5…

Urgent Opposition to Bill 5 and Removal of Environmental Assessment for Dresden Landfill

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 5, the “Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,” and the government’s decision to remove the requirement for a full Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed York1 landfill at 28931 Irish School Road, Dresden.

Concerns Regarding Health and Environmental Risks:

During the community engagement meeting in 2024, York1 proposed utilizing a historical incinerator ash burial site and expanding it. This proposal would involve disturbing 40+ year-old ash containing airborne pathogens. If disturbed, these pathogens could be released back into the atmosphere, posing serious health risks.

We know that certain materials, such as asbestos, can remain harmless unless disturbed, at which point they can cause long-term health problems, including cancer. Given that such materials were common when the incinerator ash dump was operating during the 1960s, it is crucial to ask how York1 plans to manage this risk. Specifically:

How will airborne particles be captured to prevent them from spreading into the atmosphere?

Will these particles seep into the water table or contaminate nearby rivers and residential wells?

Who will be responsible for monitoring and measuring these risks?

If long-term environmental damage occurs, who will be held accountable?

These are vital questions that must be answered before proceeding with such a project.

Concerns About Traffic and Environmental Integrity:

The proposal also includes the plan for over 700 garbage trucks to travel daily to and from the site. Important questions include:

Who will track the number of trucks entering and leaving the site?

How will this traffic volume be monitored and regulated?

Who will be held accountable if trucks exceed the proposed number or if litter is generated by them?

Additionally, we must consider whether the land below the proposed site is suitable for holding such a large volume of waste. Chatham-Kent is known to have significant natural gas reserves, as Dresden is located near one of North America’s largest natural gas storage pools. Given the proximity of these resources, it’s critical to ask:

Are there natural gas pockets that could pose a risk if disturbed by landfill activities?

Who will be responsible if a natural gas explosion or other disaster occurs due to the landfill’s development?

The Importance of a Full Environmental Assessment:

An Environmental Assessment is a critical step to ensure the safety of the environment, the community of Dresden, and the surrounding area. It would also help protect our water table, which feeds into Lake St. Clair via the Sydenham River and Molly’s Creek.

I urge you to ensure that a full Environmental Assessment be conducted and that a thorough evaluation of the need for this project is reviewed before proceeding. The risks are too high, and the safety of our environment and community must come first.