I am submitting this comment…

I am submitting this comment in strong opposition to ERO 025-0389, which proposes exempting the York1 Regenerative Recycling Facility from the Environmental Assessment (EA) requirements.

It is disgraceful that it is even being considered that this project could bypass the EA process, especially given its location near prime agricultural land and sensitive ecosystems like Molly’s Creek and the Sydenham River. These areas support Species at Risk, including mussels, fish, reptiles, and turtles, whose habitats could be significantly impacted. Allowing this facility to proceed without a full EA would strip away the community’s opportunity to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.

Moreover, York1 has failed to show the community a plan for disposing of extra wastewater and leachate, which are crucial concerns that must be addressed before any project moves forward. The Chatham-Kent water treatment plants are already at capacity and cannot handle the additional load from this facility. The lack of a comprehensive, responsible plan to manage wastewater and leachate is unacceptable and should not be overlooked.

It is even more alarming that this exemption is being considered when the previous Minister of the Environment, Andrea Khanjin, firmly supported the need for thorough environmental reviews for projects with significant impacts. This current move to bypass the EA process directly contradicts that commitment and undermines the public's trust in the Ministry's ability to safeguard the environment.

Exempting York1 from an EA would set a dangerous precedent and could lead to other projects bypassing critical environmental safeguards, which would have devastating consequences for Ontario’s natural resources, wildlife, and communities. The Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that environmental protections are upheld, and this exemption should be rejected.

I strongly urge the Ministry to require a full Environmental Assessment for York1, including a complete review of its wastewater and leachate disposal plans. The health of Ontario’s environment and communities depend on it.