Steve Medd writes to the Napanee Beaver
January 28 | Posted by Jeff | The Leaky Land Blog, UncategorizedLETTER TO THE EDITOR RE: RICHMOND LANDFILL, NAPANEE
As we step into the new year, concerned citizens enter year sixteen in stopping Waste Management (WM) from trying again to build a mega dump on fractured bedrock in Napanee. In 2006, the Minister of Environment turned down the company’s first attempt because of its failure to adequately characterize the complex geology at the site.
In 2012 the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) allowed WM to start an environmental assessment of a second proposal to build a mega dump in Napanee. However, the environmental assessment process has been stalled since concerned citizens forced WM to undertake proper investigations in the closure of its existing 60 year old Richmond Landfill.
WM’s Richmond Landfill closure plan is currently being challenged by local residents and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) in a process under the Environmental Review Tribunal, an independent and quasi-judicial body of Ontario. The investigations have been revealing and the results disturbing.
Last week, the Concerned Citizens Committee of Tyendinaga and Environs (CCCTE) held a press conference in Napanee to inform the broader public of the results of these investigations. A massive leachate plume has moved off WM’s property and onto adjacent properties and has contaminated six private wells. Five of these properties have been purchased by WM. The leachate contains 1,4 dioxane, classified as a probable carcinogen. Off-site contamination from the landfill (which also includes other chemicals) exceeds the MOE’s Reasonable Use policy guidelines.
The senior hydrogeologist for the CCCTE, Wilf Ruland, stated, ” The only reason the off-site contamination was found, was diligent sleuthing by hydrogeologists working for the CCCTE, MBQ and MOE. It was the CCCTE, MBQ, and MOE hydrogeologists who in 2012 and 2013 raised and documented concerns about off-site contamination and Reasonable Use policy exceedances.”
Napanee’s closest neighbors, Tyendinaga Township and the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, have partnered with the CCCTE to hold WM accountable for the leaking landfill. In light of WM’s poor performance in understanding the site conditions of their closed landfill, it is clear the company should not be given permission to build a new mega dump beside the leaking old one. We must work together to make sure it is never approved.
Stephen Bruce Medd
Greater Napanee
Concerned Citizens Committee of Tyendinaga and Environs (CCCTE)
Tags: 1, 1-4 dioxane, 4 dioxane, Concerned Citizens, leachate, Leaking landfill, Napanee, Waste Management, Waste Management Corporation, Town of Greater Napanee
I am interested in purchasing property on Johnson side road and am very interested in learning more about this and possibly aiding in the fight.
Hi Andrew:
Thanks for your comment on the website!
Marilyn will contact you re your involvement.
Jeff