Increasing the size of an…

Increasing the size of an inactive limited purpose landfill to the monstrous proportions and broad scope proposed by York1 is not only unethical, but also an insult to the community of Dresden and Chatham-Kent as a whole. The lack of proper investigative studies with respect to environmental, infrastructure and community impact will only serve to degrade the community and its assets.

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks is supposed to be “Leading to healthier communities and economic prosperity through protecting Ontario’s air, land and water.” If the applications made by York1 are approved by the Ministry, the exact opposite would occur—the Chatham-Kent community would become less healthy, and our air, land and water would become polluted with toxins and trash from across the province.

York1’s application states that only non-hazardous materials will be transferred and/or stored at the Dresden location, yet it lists materials that are hazardous and/or have the potential to become hazardous. Asphalt, shingles, various metals, tires, and asbestos can create significant environmental hazards as well as being detrimental to human health.

Demolition waste and soil from sites that were constructed prior to 1990, will contain lead and other harmful substances. Lead-based paints, lead pipes and leaded gasoline were commonly used, and lead is known to have serious health effects. This, and other toxins, will be leaching into our local waterways causing irreparable damage to our people and environment.

Does York1 have a pre-sort facility where the hazardous waste will be removed, leaving only the non-hazardous materials for transport to the Dresden location? I think not.

The fact that the proposed site sits just north of the community of Dresden is concerning. The effluent being discharged into Molly’s Creek that is a tributary to the Sydenham River is worrisome due to health risks for those living along the waterways, not to mention the negative impact on wildlife, including identified species at risk. Winds will blow the stench and contamination directly into the community.

Please view York1’s applications for what they truly are—a scheme using outdated Ministry approvals to create a new large-scale recycling and landfill operation. Such projects require far more scrutiny, and deservedly so.