A coalition opposed to a proposed new “eco-friendly” landfill beside the Richmond Landfill, near Napanee, has petitioned Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment to reject the landfill company’s application for the dump.

A recent environmental assessment process was filed by Waste Management with regard to the potential dump site.

But the group, consisting of members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, representatives of Tyendinaga Township and other area citizens, has filed written submissions asking the ministry to reject the assessment conducted in relation to the construction of the proposed Beechwood Road Environmental Centre (BREC).
Recently, Waste Management set out its proposed terms of reference — terms deemed unsuitable by the group.

“In our opinion, the proposed terms of reference are fundamentally flawed, excessively narrow, exclude too many key questions and will not result in an environmental assessment that is consistent with the public interest of the Environmental Assessment Act,” Richard Lindgren, a lawyer for the group said.

Thirty days of public comments were sanctioned on the proposed terms, during which 1,700 people signed, delivered, faxed or emailed objections to the ministry.

Chief R. Donald Maracle, of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, said the ministry should reject the terms for several reasons.

“The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte are downstream of the proposed BREC landfill and our environment is at risk of negative trans-boundary impacts from this facility if constructed,” he said in a statement. “Ontario’s minster of the environment must reject the proposed terms of reference for the BREC landfill, not only to protect our environment and people, but also to properly discharge the Crown’s fiduciary obligations to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.”

The Ministry of the Environment refused to approve an attempt to expand the Richmond Landfill in 2006 due to environmental concerns. In 2009, the environmental commissioner of Ontario recommended the immediate closure of the landfill. This year, the ministry amended the site license, which requires the site be covered and closed. Phase I of this plan is scheduled to be complete by Sept. 30.

In an e-mail to The Intelligencer, Mike Bossio, a spokesman for the dissenting group, said the terms of reference put forth by Waste Management are flawed.

“Waste Management has once again taken this community for granted by presenting a totally deficient and scoped terms of reference,” he said. “It is not going to consider need or any other alternatives and the BREC is not going to be integrated as one entity in the environmental assessment — only the landfill portion is to be considered.”

Randy Harris, site manager of the BREC for Waste Management, said his organization is very conscious of people’s environmental concerns.

“We operate over 200 landfills in North America, and we couldn’t do it if it wasn’t environmentally correct,” he said.

He noted the review process for the dump proposal still has a long way to go. With the current period for public comment completed, the ministry has 60 days to review the comments, after which the minister will make a decision about whether to accept the terms of reference. Every aspect of the project will require a certificate of approval, and must allow time for public comment.

“It’s a very extensive approval process,” said Harris. “We have to prove this project can be done environmentally safely, meaning the groundwater can be protected and that there be no air issues or anything else.”

In response to those concerned about the BREC, Harris recommended attending the public meetings that will continue be held as the process moves forward.

“People that were opposed last time who came out to the meetings this time actually changed their minds because they realized it can be done safely,” he said.