I am very concerned about…

I am very concerned about the removal of an Environmental Assessment on the Dresden Landfill Project.

Key Concerns:

Eliminating the EA Is Irresponsible: The removal of the EA undermines public trust and eliminates a critical layer of environmental oversight. A project of this scale and impact demands a full and transparent EA to assess long-term risks to air, water, soil, and biodiversity.

Proximity to Residential Areas: The proposed site is within 1 km of homes and schools. This is well inside the 3.5 km buffer outlined in Ontario’s own guidelines under Bill 197. Bypassing the EA process ignores these safeguards.

Threats to the Environment and Wildlife: Without an EA, the cumulative impacts on local ecosystems, including endangered species and the nearby Sydenham River, will not be properly studied or mitigated.

Health and Safety Risks: Increased traffic, odours, noise, and potential leachate contamination could all significantly affect the health of nearby residents, especially children.

Overwhelming Community Opposition: Thousands of residents and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent have clearly opposed the project. Sidestepping the EA process is a direct dismissal of local voices and democratic accountability.

The Ministry of the Environment needs to halt the proposed landfill project until a full Environmental Assessment is completed and to reject any attempt to weaken or remove this essential review process. The people of Dresden and surrounding communities deserve full transparency and environmental protection.