A media release from the Stewards of the Land states that today at 10:30 am “farmers will be holding a peaceful tractor rally at Site 41 to again demonstrate their opposition to the controversial project…”
Dairy farmer John Nahuis says, “We have to protect our farmland as well as the provinces water supplies as the Ministry of the Environment is not fulfilling their responsibilities. It was inconceivable in December when the Ministry of the Environment issued a license to pump 820,000 litres per day for 30 days and 410,000 every day for 9 months and waste this very pristine resource.”
ONTARIO SOURCE WATER PROTECTION POLICY?
The media release asks, “What does this say about the Ministry of the Environments new Source Water Protection Policy when they are allowing a dump to be built in such a sensitive groundwater area that requires pumping of groundwater to build the landfill and also dewatering to prevent a blowout of the lining system due to groundwater pressure?”
ZERO WASTE SAYS THERE IS TWENTY YEARS OF CAPACITY WITHOUT SITE 41
“Simcoe County’s own numbers make it clear that landfill Site 41 is unnecessary, a citizens’ organization Zero Waste claims at present diversion and considering expected growth the County of Simcoe has over 20 years capacity without Site 41.”
RELEASE THE MODFLOW CALIBRATIONS REPORT
“The County of Simcoe’s CAO Mark Aitken has been asked to ease tensions between citizens by releasing the MODFLOW Calibrations and information regarding the 39 reference points. The County of Simcoe’s Administration has been withholding this information from the Site 41 Community Monitoring Committee (CMC) since July of 2007. A recent order from the Information and Privacy adjudicator has recommended the calibrated MODFLOW be released to Stephen Ogden, CMC member, and disagreed with the County of Simcoe’s denial that the MODFLOW Calibrations were not under their care and control but rather under the care and control of consultant hired by the County of Simcoe, Jagger Himms Limited.”
LETTER TO STEPHEN OGDEN
“CAO Aitken was also asked to confirm what County Councillor was responsible with administration for the threatening letter to Mr. Stephen Ogden that was issued from the County of Simcoe’s solicitor Marshall Green. Mr. Ogden’s letter was then copied to area residents and newspapers and was seen by residents as an intimidation attempt by the County of Simcoe.”
BACKGROUND:
SITE 41 INITIALLY REJECTED AFTER HEARINGS
“After a long hearing process that was commenced in 1989, the Joint Board found that the Environmental Assessment carried out by the proponent was ‘irredeemably deficient’, the site selection process was ‘non-existent’, site comparison ‘flawed’ and ‘the overall process was not logical, traceable or replicable.’ Site 41 was rejected and the selection process was invalidated and biased.”
ORDER IN COUNCIL ALLOWS IT TO PROCEED
“An Order-in-Council issued by the Provincial Liberal Cabinet in 1990 overturned that decision and the Joint Board was compelled to grant approval for Site 41 under the Environmental Assessment Act on February 2nd, 1995.”
DESIGN AND OPERATIONS REPORT EXPOSED 200 ERRORS
“In 2003, the County of Simcoe finally released a Design and Operations report. The reviews of the Site plan by Tiny Township, Simcoe County and the Ministry of the Environment exposed over 200 combined errors. David Staseff of the MOE stated 12-24 errors are the more common amount for this type of project.”
“January of 2007 County of Simcoe issues new plan that supersedes previously approved 2003 Design and Operation.”
ONTARIO ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER CRITICAL OF SITE 41
“The Environmental Commissioners annual 2003-04 report states ‘The ECO believes that a broad review of the Site 41 C of A was warranted to increase government accountability for environmental decision-making on this highly contentious proposal. It would have been appropriate for the Ministry of the Environment to evaluate the certificate of approval in light of the province’s intention to strengthen source water protection requirements.'”
SIMCOE COUNTY COUNCIL SPLIT ON SITE 41
“In June 2006, Simcoe County Council voted in a 16-15 split to authorize staff to begin construction of the landfill site. Warden Tony Guergis votes in favour of proceeding, breaking election promises made in the just recent election.”
You can read more about Site 41 on the Council of Canadians website at www.canadians.org/water/issues/Site41/.
