This letter is in reference…

This letter is in reference to EBR 010-1236. I am opposed to this 'improved regulatory framework' which I believe to be a non-improvement, but an open invitation for the further contamination of farmland, marginal farmland, scrub brush lands and the watersheds they are to be found on by the application of industrial wastes contaminated with a myriad of hazardous chemicals and organics. In January 2005, the Environmental Commissioner, Conservation Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, ALPHA and many groups and citizens from this province provided direction to the Ministry of the Environment regarding the bulk use of PFBs. Where is the legislation that requires an MOE CofA for each step in the process? Why have you not regulated the use of paper fibre biosolids that are often further contaminated with sewage pellets; urban compost; various other sludge materials so that the lands and watersheds of our province are protected? My 'good' neighbours - the Madoc Gun Club - fell under the spell of the sound-sorb fellows a few years back - getting something for nothing seemed like such a good idea... today the berms are still there- still polluting the landscape and the watershed, leaching into the small creek that feeds into the Moira River. Our property values have decreased and we have had to endure the stench and aromatics that are emitted from the site. With no CofA's in place to regulate just what goes into these 'soil enhancement' truckloads of stuff, how are the smaller municipalities to cope with the growing numbers of would-be haulers who are looking for a good place to dump their industrial trash? Our local farmers do not have the technical expertise to question proposed spreaders who come knocking on doors with a deal that is too good to be true. The MOE needs to be pro-active and to provide sound and tough legislation that will protect our farmlands. NASM's do not belong under the Nutrient Management Act - they belong, rightfully, under the waste management umbrella. We don't need heavy metals on our lands. We don't need the headwaters of our community watersheds to become dispersing agents for the contaminated contents of these non-agriculatural source materials. We don't need contaminated runoff affecting our neighbouring properties, our cattle, and wells. Call these NASM's what they really are - contaminated industrial waste - and deal with them as a waste. Force the industries who are making the waste to deal with it in a responsible and ethical manner. My legacy to my children is the land and the water. Our wells are in danger from these pollutants leaching into the water tables. Monitor the multinational industries who seek to divest themselves of their waste... how can they be expected to provide an honest and unbiased test result? The MOE is supposed to be our protector and watch-dog... it seems that there is no one left at the Ministry to do the testing; to interpret the tests in a timely manner; and to step up and speak out for the land and the waters. PFB needs to be responsibly disposed of. The MOE needs to follow the directives of the 2006 expert panel - this panel cost the taxpayers of this province millions of dollars and several years of time. The MOE has a responsibililty to comply with the directives, particularly with a view to ensuring our watersheds remain as clean and pristine as possible.

[Original Comment ID: 104741]