The Concerned Citizens have submitted a request through Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights process to have the regulations for siting landfills amended to not allow the siting of new landfills or the expansion of existing landfills on land that is unsuitable for landfilling like fractured bedrock. The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice based in Woodstock Ontario have written the following letter of support:

The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice

70 Glenn Avenue, Sweaburg,

RR #1, Woodstock, Ontario

N4S 7V6

August 14, 2013

Dear Mr. J. Bradley,

The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice addresses this letter to encourage
you to amend section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act as requested by
the Concerned Citizens’ Committee of Tyendinaga and Environs , by the
Canadian Environmental Law Association and by the Mohawks of the Bay of
Quinte.

While it is accepted scientific knowledge that even modern landfills will
leak, those on fractured bedrock are at an unacceptable level of risk for
leakage into ground water and soil, thus causing irreparable harm to the
environment as well as to those persons living in the area into which it
leaks. Since ground water movement can be rapid and distant, the
precautionary principle should apply, i.e., we should avoid all likely risks
of escape of toxins, biological and chemical, from dumps into substrata and
water table. Pollution of ground water is irreversible and catastrophic.

The Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Adam’s Mine Lake
Act are all testimony to our governments’ understanding of the vital
importance of water to citizens of Ontario for recreation and drinking. As
well, it is essential to agricultural uses. Like in the Quinte area,
citizens here are concerned about the safety of drinking water, not only on
our own behalf, but on behalf of all Ontarians. That is why thousands of
Ontario citizens signed the Oxford County petition to the Legislature, and
subsequently read to it by MPP Hardeman, asking that water, soil, and air be
protected from the noxious effects of dumps and requested a review of
legislation to prevent further damage. This review of the Environmental
Protection Act would be a significant part of the process of developing
standards and practices in keeping with the wishes of citizens and with
scientific understanding.

We urge you then to do the following:

. Suspend any further extension of current dumps and/or creation of
new dumps until such time as a full and complete study of the science around
waste is done.

. Halt the Quinte area dump immediately in light of the scientific
evidence as well as the rights of citizens and Native peoples

. Amend the Environmental Protection Act to expressly forbid the
construction of any dumps on fractured bedrock.

The favour of a reply in this matter is requested. A thorough, public
dialogue on waste, recycling, reuse as well as water safety and standards
are called for by these groups and by those citizens concerned about
drinking water and water for recreation and commerce in other parts of
Ontario.

Sincerely,

Bryan J. Smith, chair

CC: Mr. Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario

Mr. Richard Lindgren, Canadian Environmental Law Association

The Concerned Citizens of Tyendinaga and Environs

R. Donald Maracle, Chief, The Mohawks of Quinte

Tags: EBR, Environmental Bill, fractured bedrock, Leaking landfill, Napanee, Richmond Landfill, Waste Management Corporation