York1 Dresden Landfill The…

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York1 Dresden Landfill The Problem

References the Public's experience of Keele Valley Landfill. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keele_Valley_landfill)
Local residents strongly disliked the dump due to the odours and constant truck traffic it generated, and were opposed to its expansion. Primary objections to the expansion were the existence of houses built less than one kilometer from the site, the construction of St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School nearby, and the planned development of a residential community for 30,000 people in adjacent parts of Richmond Hill.
New Year's Eve that year.[58] Thousands of residents[59] and Vaughan councilor Mario Ferri[60] gathered at the base of the heap of garbage[61] that day to celebrate the landfill's closing with champagne, cake,[60] and fireworks.[59] (Wikipedia)

Common Sense Criteria to Select a Landfill Site:

1. Proximity to Population Centers: No impact on human health and quality of life.
2. Environmental Sensitivity: Avoid wetlands, floodplains, and areas with rare species.
3. Hydrogeological Factors: Have suitable hydrogeological conditions so as not to risk leachate contamination of protected areas.
4. Accessibility: (760 transport truck (34T) trips in and out per day, or three times that for dump or roll off bin (12T) trucks) Be easily accessible by roads and infrastructure to facilitate waste transportation, based on the volume of traffic anticipated.
5. Land Use Compatibility: Will not conflict with future development plan
6. Site Size and Capacity: Sufficient size and capacity to accommodate the expected volume of waste over its operational lifespan.
7. Community Engagement: Ensure community acceptance.
8. Regulatory Compliance: Comply with all applicable regulations and environmental standards, including those related to environmental assessments, waste management, and site operation.

New Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA), Required if Changes to Size of operation/process made

The Director’s issuing of an ECA under one Act does not relieve you from complying with an applicable municipal by-law, or from obtaining any other environmental permissions (https://www.ontario.ca/page/environmental-permissions) that you may need under other Acts or provisions.
Step 1 You should begin by reviewing the environmental permissions process.
You or your business may require more than one type of environmental permission.
Step 2 – Complete any prerequisite requirements prior to completing your submission for an environmental permission (ECA), see the following.
2a. Apply for municipal permits, (current zoning is for a very small dump not a monster). Also, noise and odour bylaw approval.
2b. Federal Government Approval, (see Dresden Sydenham protected habitat).

3. Complete assessments and technical studies. You must provide written confirmation from the appropriate Regional Technical Support Section (RTSS) that the required hydrogeological studies and/or surface water studies are reviewed and sufficient.
3a. Has the applicant considered if the project is subject to an odour assessment
3b. Fugitive dust assessment in accordance with Guideline A-10 If your business emits any contaminants to the air, you must comply with the regulation by meeting certain standards that may apply.
3c. The ESDM report must provide an explanation of how it was determined that an amount of a contaminant discharged is negligible and/or that a source discharges a contaminant in a negligible amount in accordance with Guideline A-10 (ESDM procedure document). Compliance Assessment as per O. Reg. 419
3d. Does the proposed activity or activities trigger and comply with other MOECC policies or guidelines. limits set in NPC-205 and/or NPC-232, as applicable
3e. Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) is required.

Government Agencies to be consulted.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH)
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MHLTC)
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)
Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Ministry of Education; Ministry of Transportation (MTO)
Ontario Provincial Police
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada
Environment Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada
CA Conservation Authority
MOECC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
EAASIB Environmental Approvals Access and Service Integration Branch

The Solution

1, Reduce the size of the planned operation to the one that exists now. Mother Nature does not build a giant leaf to support a tree but rather hundreds of small leaves. Following that example this could set an example for how recycling should be done.
2. Find a larger spot closer to main traffic arteries, away from the concentration of people, waterways and more conducive to the size of the operation.

The Alternative if York1 is approved for current request

Ask to seek leave to appeal the ECA issued to York1’s within 15 days of the approval

Use the approach of 30,000 residents of Maple[51] who sued the city of Toronto in 1997.[50] It was was taken to the Supreme Court of Canada in 2001.[54] The allegations in the lawsuit were that methane, hydrogen sulphide, and vinyl chloride gases were not sufficiently contained to the site,[55] causing air pollution in the area, that truck traffic, (and machinery in Dresden’s case), created noise pollution,[56]. On 1 March 2001, Gord Miller, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, was granted intervenor status to support the litigant's claim of the landfill being a public nuisance, per provisions in the Environmental Bill of Rights of Ontario.[51]. (Wikipedia)

Supporting documents