Chatham-Kent’s fight to prevent the reopening of a dormant landfill near Dresden has reached the federal environment ministry.
A pair of official requests were sent to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Julie Dabrusin, earlier this year, asking that the ministry impose a review of the proposed landfill development project at 29831 Irish School Rd. under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA). The first application was sent by local advocacy group Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (C.A.R.E.D.), followed by another from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
Both submissions make the case that the proposed waste facility has the potential to cause significant adverse effects to the natural environment, including aquatic species, fish habitats, and migratory birds. The potential effect on Indigenous peoples is also noted, including an impact on physical and cultural heritage, the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes, as well as the health, cultural, and social well-being of local First Nations.
Dave Taylor, Chatham-Kent’s deputy chief administrative officer, said an impact assessment is one of several options CK Council has asked administration to pursue to push back against the landfill development.
“We think it’s well within the federal jurisdiction to consider this proposal under that act and determine what the impacts could be on the environment and Indigenous rights,” said Taylor. “We know it’s a bad idea for Chatham-Kent, it’s a bad idea for the people of Dresden, and it’s not a good approach overall for Ontario or Canada to approve landfills in [this] way.”
As part of the process, the environment minister has since requested additional comments from both the municipality and the landfill owners, York1 Waste Solutions.
In response, York1 has argued that the impact assessment should not be imposed on the project, because work has already “substantially begun,” citing historical waste approvals, and comparing the proposed landfill to other projects.
“We very much disagree with that. We think they’re really trying to argue that they’ve done enough work to meet the criteria that [the landfill project] can’t be studied under this act. We just don’t think that’s accurate,” said Taylor.
In its latest submission to the ministry, the municipality noted that the landfill site has been essentially dormant since York1’s purchase of the land several years ago. For reference, a recent aerial photo of the property was included by Chatham-Kent officials, showing only minor physical changes at the site.
Chatham-Kent’s reply to the ministry also pointed out that none of the required applications for technical and planning approvals have been submitted by York1.
“They’re still looking at [moving forward with] a very different type proposal than what they’re allowed to do right now,” said Taylor. “The idea that they’ve substantially started something that they don’t even have the approvals for, I don’t think lands factually with what’s happening on the ground.”
According to the Government of Canada, a decision on whether or not to conduct an impact assessment is issued within 90 days from the start of the request process.
A federal impact assessment can take up to a year or more to complete.