I have serious concerns…

I have serious concerns about this proposal and feel that there is great potential for environmental harm if Searchmont Resort is granted approval to build a sewage treatment facility that discharges into the Goulais River. My questions are below.

1) We need more information on the level of training Searchmont Resort operators will have and certifications required to operate a sewage treatment facility. Often the resort is understaffed with inexperienced people and no staff onsite in the off-season. What level of monitoring will be in place to detect problems and react promptly? Will the Resort have someone on site at all times to monitor the treatment centre? It is not sufficient to have someone alerted by alarm if they are not residing onsite or in the village of Searchmont to react quickly to sudden issues. I am not convinced that this privately owned resort will staff a sewage treatment facility adequately 365 days a year with trained employees.

2) Being that the proposed treatment facility is upstream from a large population of rural residents in the unorganized townships of Hodgins, Deroche, Vankoughnet and Fenwick, what level of monitoring is the Ministry of Environment planning to conduct on an ongoing basis to ensure harmful bacteria is not being released into the Goulais River?

3) Phosphorus levels in the Goulais River are are high already and it has been documented that the river is already at or above the phosphorus guidelines. Under Ontario's Policy 2 when a waterbody is at or above the PWQO, no further degradation is permitted. Why is this proposal being considered when the Goulais River is already showing signs of stress?

4) It is documented that the Goulais River is wood turtle habitat which is a Species at Risk. What studies have been done to investigate the harmful effects of treated sewage on the wood turtle population and habitat?