I am very disheartened to…

I am very disheartened to hear of this proposal to dump “treated” sewage into one of the few pristine waterways left on the east shore of Lake Superior.

I can appreciate the benefits Searchmount has to the local economy, however for a seasonal business in 2025 there should be no cost to local environment or permanent residents down stream.

Like many others who live along this river, my home relies on this waterway as our primary source of drinking and household water. Every day, we use water drawn from wells and pumps that are directly connected to this river system. The idea that we may soon be forced to drink, bathe, and cook with water contaminated—no matter how “treated”—by sewage runoff from the resort is deeply disturbing. This is no okay!!!

This proposal is not just careless; it’s irresponsible. Searchmont Resort’s plan to send their wastewater downstream into a community water source shows a complete disregard for residents, the environment, and the wildlife that depend on this river. Instead of modernizing and responsibly managing their on-site waste system, they appear to be choosing the cheapest and easiest path at the expense of public health and environmental integrity.

The Goulais River is not an industrial dumping ground—it is a lifeline for hundreds of households, a habitat for fish and wildlife many of which are endangered species and a place where families boat, swim, and fish every summer. Not to mention an integral waterway for Batchawana First Nation. This proposal puts all of that at risk.

I urge the Environmental Review Board to reject this proposal outright and require Searchmont Resort to invest in modern, environmentally responsible waste treatment solutions that do not endanger the health and safety of the Goulais River community or its ecosystem.

Thank you for your time and for considering the concerns of those of us who call this river home.