http://www.cela.ca/blog/2016-02-02/30-30-confessions-cela-lifer

In a strongly worded decision, Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal recently agreed with the Concerned Citizens Committee of Tyendinaga and Environs (CCCTE) that the conditions appeared to be unreasonable and insufficiently protective of the environment. The Tribunal therefore granted the residents’ group leave (permission) to file an appeal against the conditions issued by the Ministry of the Environment.

“Our overall goal is to ensure robust monitoring and effective contingency plans at the Richmond Landfill, which finally closed in 2011,” said Mike Bossio, Chairperson of the CCCTE. “Filing our appeal is the next major step towards achieving this public interest objective.”

The group’s appeal is requesting the Tribunal to revoke the seven conditions in their entirety, and to replace them with more stringent and comprehensive conditions.

“It is rare for individuals or citizens’ groups to obtain leave to appeal landfill licences in Ontario,” stated Richard Lindgren, an environmental lawyer who represents the CCCTE. “My client looks forward to taking full advantage of this opportunity in order to pursue long-standing concerns about the landfill’s risks to air quality, surface water, and groundwater.”

The Tribunal will hold public hearings to receive evidence and submissions on the issues raised in the group’s appeal. The parties in the hearing will be the CCCTE, the Ministry of the Environment, and the site owner Waste Management of Canada Corporation. However, other interested persons, groups or municipalities may apply to participate in the Tribunal hearing.

Once the hearing has been completed, the Tribunal will render a legally enforceable decision under the Environmental Protection Act in relation to the conditions under appeal. Click here to view a copy of the group’s Notice of Appeal:

For more information, please contact:

Richard Lindgren (CELA) 613-385-1686

Mike Bossio (CCCTE) 613-396-6784

Media Release By: Canadian Environmental Law Association

- “There are potential groundwater quality problems evident on all sides of the Richmond Landfill, with anomalous water quality results at distances of up to hundreds of meters from the landfill” (page 4);

- “In my professional opinion, the most likely cause for many of the cases of anomalous water quality is leakage from the nearby Richmond Landfill” (page 18); and

- “Table 2a confirms that the landfill was certainly impacting surface water quality in 2006-2008… Iron and copper exceeded the [Provincial Water Quality Objectives] level in the 2006-2008 period, and in previous years as well. Un-ionized ammonia was over the PWQO limit in November 2006 and occasionally in prior years” (page 6).

“We are alarmed and shocked by Mr. Ruland’s findings, which substantiate our grave concerns about leachate leakage, detection and remediation at this vulnerable setting,” stated Mike Bossio, Chair of the Concerned Citizens – Tyendinaga & Environs (CCTE), which retained Mr. Ruland to conduct his independent review of recent WM documentation.

“Our clients are calling upon the Ministry of the Environment to immediately act upon Mr. Ruland’s 17 recommendations regarding the Richmond Landfill,” said Richard Lindgren, an environmental lawyer who represents the CCTE. “Moreover, it is our opinion that Mr. Ruland’s report raises serious questions about whether WM should be proceeding with its proposed Beechwood Road Environmental Centre landfill beside the existing Richmond Landfill.”

For more information, please contact:  

Richard Lindgren – CELA (613-385-1686)

Mike Bossio – CCCTE Chair (613-396-6784)

Related Information:

Nov 03 2008

Richmond Landfill: Chronology of Environmental Concerns

Media Release By: Canadian Environmental Law Association