RE: ERO 025-0389 “Removing…

RE: ERO 025-0389 “Removing Environmental Assessment Requirements for York1 Waste Disposal Site Project.”
Dear Ministry,
The Executive Board, the Chatham-Kent-Essex District and the Lambton District of the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario wish to raise concerns about the proposed Waste Processing and Landfill site just outside the town of Dresden.
The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) is an Accredited Farm Organization representing the interests of over 4,000 farm families in Ontario who are called to the vocation of farming. CFFO policy promotes economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable farming, advocating that farmers receive fair return for their production and stewardship efforts.
We are writing to request that a full environmental assessment be required for the proposed York1 waste processing and landfill facility at 29831 Irish School Road.
It is proposed that this facility would resume use of a currently dormant waste processing site. Several new uses of the site are proposed, including significant volume of waste materials transported in and out of the site, and a significant influx of waste materials to be landfilled at that location. The request also includes changing hours of operation to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The CFFO is concerned about the protection of productive agricultural land. This land is highly valuable as a source of food, as an economic driver and as a provider of environmental goods and services.
We have significant concerns about this proposal because of the risks to surrounding farm and farm-related businesses that would be introduced by this new use of the property and because of the potential for farmland loss.
All of this will have an impact on traffic and local infrastructure. The waste materials themselves may increase pest risks, which would be of particular concern to food producing or processing facilities, including farms, in the area. The site is also closely located to a local water course, increasing risks for those downstream.
The use of this site as a landfill and waste processing facility will have negative impacts on surrounding farm businesses, which may decrease the likelihood of viable farm businesses in close proximity and increase the possibility of expansion of the landfill and waste processing facility. This would mean loss of currently productive farmland.
We recognize that there are significant concerns within the local municipality with this proposed project. We wish to indicate our support for the municipal efforts to ensure a proper environmental assessment is completed.
A full environmental assessment is needed to ensure that risks are identified, and that necessary avoidance and mitigation measures are established and followed.
Conclusion
The proposed York1 waste processing and landfill project at 29831 Irish School Road Dresden would pose significant risks to surrounding farm and farm-related businesses. A full environmental assessment is required to ensure that risks are identified, and that necessary avoidance and mitigation measures are put in place.
We thank you for your consideration of our comments and concerns.