Opposition to ERO 025-0389 –…

Opposition to ERO 025-0389 – Revoking the Environmental Assessment Requirement for 29831 Irish School Road

I am a long-time resident of Dresden, Ontario, and have proudly raised my family in this close-knit rural community. I am writing to express my strong opposition to ERO 025-0389, which proposes to revoke the requirement for an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the property at 29831 Irish School Road.

This proposal is not only irresponsible, but also reckless and short-sighted, particularly given the site's proximity to Dresden and the sensitive watershed it borders. The site was never designed or constructed to modern landfill standards, and lifting the EA requirement now would put the community and environment at unacceptable risk.

A comprehensive Environmental Assessment is common practice for new or reactivated landfill projects in Ontario today. To skip this step undermines decades of environmental policy, best practice, and public safety protocol.

Former Environment Minister, MPP Andrea Khanjin, recognized this reality when, in March and June 2024, she publicly committed to requiring a full EA for this very site, acknowledging the serious health, safety, and environmental concerns raised by the community and local government. The introduction of Regulation 284/24 was a step toward restoring public trust.

To now reverse that commitment - barely a year later - raises serious questions about the motives behind this proposal. It feels as though corporate influence and pressure are taking precedence over the protection of Ontario citizens, especially those living in low-density rural areas, where our voices may not seem as politically impactful as those in the GTA. This is deeply disheartening.

Additionally, the proposed site has no access to major highway arteries. Transporting waste via secondary rural roads not only increases safety risks, but also leads to excessive wear on infrastructure that was never designed to handle such heavy and constant truck traffic. This will affect the daily lives of residents and burden the municipality with increased maintenance and safety costs.

In closing, I urge you to uphold the requirement for a full Environmental Assessment at 29831 Irish School Road. To do otherwise is to compromise environmental protection, public health, and responsible governance. Rural communities like Dresden deserve the same consideration and safeguards as any larger urban centre.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Resident of Dresden