Plans to reopen a dormant landfill near Dresden will be tied up in red tape for the foreseeable future.
A statement has been issued saying that in response to concerns from local residents and municipal officials, the Lieutenant Governor in Council has ruled the York1 Environmental Waste Solutions’ proposal will have to undergo a comprehensive environmental assessment, the highest level of EA in Ontario.
Officials say the process will require a full assessment of potential environmental impacts and public consultation, and the project will not be allowed to proceed without a decision from the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and approval from the Lieutenant Governor in Council.
“The ruling by the Lieutenant Governor regarding the proposed landfill in Dresden is excellent news for Dresden and for all of Chatham-Kent,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff in a news release. “The response from the community of Dresden has been nothing short of inspiring. They have presented a unified voice through petitions, signs, submissions, and deputations to Municipal Council. The comprehensive environmental assessment process that is now required is a direct result of a community that has come together to speak up for what they believe in.”
York1, which owns the property on Irish School Road, has made two applications to the Environment Ministry to amend the existing waste processing site Environmental Compliance Approval for a 35-hectare waste disposal site with an 8-hectare landfilling area and a 0.8-hectare waste processing site.
The company’s plans include receiving up to 6000 tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste and 1000 tonnes of residual waste per day on an annual basis, as well as allowing the landfill to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
