Composter of Ill Repute
Eyes Crown Land in Nairn Cente
Nairn Centre Smells a
Possible Mega-Composting Deal
Seemingly unphased by the experience of the residents of Newmarket or the fierce opposition by the residents of the French River, the Council of the Township of Nairn and Hyman has issued an invitation to Halton Recycling to consider setting up their next mega-composting project in their community.
Halton Recycling Inc. is a notorious operator that has been entangled in a series of legal proceedings initiated against them by both the Ministry of the Environment and the City of Newmarket related to their composting operations in Newmarket.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled that the composting company whose odours had distressed workers and residents for two years shut down its operations if it fails to carry out its proposed plan to eliminate off-site smells within 90 days. "The residents and persons living in the vicinity of the Halton facility have endured the offensive odours for more than two years. I have considered the frequency and intensity of the offensive odours. Although the emissions are not toxic, they have caused headaches, nausea, and other health problems," wrote Bryant in the September 2006 decision. "The emissions have caused an adverse effect, namely the loss of enjoyment of the normal use of property and interference with normal conduct of business...." During the nine-day hearing, the Town of Newmarket said it had recorded 1,069 odour complaints about Halton over a two-year period from July 2004 onward. In April 2005, the town had instituted a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, on-call service to respond to the large number of complaints made about smells attributed to Halton. A bylaw enforcement officer's affidavit said that except on rare occasions the complaint could be traced to Halton and described the stench "as putrid, very foul, dirty, musty, and gross." The chief building officer and director of bylaws said he visited Halton on at least 50 occasions and said it stank of rotting garbage that varied from mild to nauseating.
"Local residents described the odours as bad, putrid, pungent, sickening, horrendous, foul, obnoxious, and smelling like feces," wrote Bryant. "The complainants' evidence was that the odours caused gagging, penetrated their homes spoiling meals and social events, and their use and enjoyment of the homes."
It took a half year for the Municipality of the French River to finally reverse their decision to rezone a piece of property to accommodate Halton Recycling Ltd. development of a composting and recycling facility in the area. Council first approved an application by Halton Recycling Ltd. to rezone 330 acres of land on Highway 535, about four kilometres north of Noelville, in August. Local residents mounted an energetic campaign against the project, saying it would be an environmental hazard and reduce property values and negatively affect recreation and tourism in the area. Council's about face came after months of intense public pressure to halt the proposal.
On January. 16, French River council directed its lawyers to apply to Superior Court to have the rezoning bylaw voided. Mayor Collin Bourgeois said they changed their minds on the grounds the company behind the development did not follow through on its word to hold a public meeting in the municipality. Councillors initially were attempting to get a Superior Court judge to quash the bylaw in a hearing that began in late March. But instead of returning to court to argue further later this month, council decided to simply repeal the bylaw after receiving written notice that Halton Recycling would not oppose the repeal of the rezoning bylaw.
Reportedly in the "exploratory stages" of bringing the mega-composting development to Nairn, the Mayor of Nairn Centre says the muncipality is in discussions with Halton Recycling. Company representative Bill Palmer made a presentation to council on January 14th, following which the Council passed a resolution directing their Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a draft memorandum of agreement between the Township of Nairn & Hyman and Halton Recycling Ltd. that was to be presented at the next council meeting for review. Subsequent council meetings minutes do not include any reference to Halton Recycling.
According to media reports, Halton Recycling
Ltd. is looking to procure a piece of what Mayor Channon calls "scrubbed"
Crown land adjacent to the town's landfill site on Sand Bay Road. The town
is also looking at developing a "green" industrial park on the land, which
would house a composting operation and other environmental industries,
the Mayor said. The Mayor estimates that the Halton development would bring
20 direct jobs to the area. Nairn and Hyman has been suffering from job
loses in the wake of the closure of Domtar's saw mill.
Ontario goes for more nukes prior to Energy Board Review
A hearing to review the Ontario Power Authority's 20 year "Integrated Power Supply Plan" is now set to get underway in early August, according to a procedural order issued by the Ontario Energy Board on April 7th.
The Ontario Power Authority filed its 4,000
page plan with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) last fall, outlining its
very modest conservation goals and its ambitious nuclear and transmission
programs.
Without waiting for the outcome of the OEB review, the Ontario government has issued a bid for new nuclear reactors, saying that "the lights can't stay on without new nuclear capacity". Ontario plans to spend up to $40-billion building two new nuclear reactors and refurbishing up to half-a-dozen others over the next two decades. Four companies have been asked to submit proposals by the end of June, including Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Areva NP, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Westinghouse Electric.
Northwatch is intervening in the OEB review,
primarily because of concerns that the Plan places a disproportionate burden
on northern Ontario. Northwatch's case will focus on a few key areas, including
conservation and efficiency measures, and their ability to replace demand
for new supply; generation projects proposed for northern Ontario, including
and particularly new hydro-developments and biomass projects; transmission
system expansions and upgrades, including and particularly proposed additions
to the system that would be sited in northern Ontario but not be designed
to serve northern Ontario; and nuclear extensions and expansions, including
potential impacts on the north.
Nuclear Industry Launchees Next Search for Nuke Waste Dump
Almost a year after having received the federal government's rubber stamp for their "Adaptive Phased Management" approach to the long term management of nuclear fuel waste, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has surfaced again, this time with the first of its "implementation" efforts. But like a groundhog on a cold day, the NWMO poked its head up only long enough to extend and then cancel invitations to a series of national "dialogues" in which they had intended to "seek input and discussion on its plans for early implementation activities".
In mid-January the NWMO issued an invitation
to a number of organizations - including Northwatch - to participate in
a two day session looking at the early stages of implementing the NWMO's
approach to site and then construct an underground repository for nuclear
fuel waste. The sessions were canceled two weeks later when, according
to the NWMO "our communications with invitees showed that a limited number
were available to participate at this time in a multi-interest session".
The NWMO's "Adaptive Phase Management" approach is the nuclear industry's response to federal legislation which directed the industry to establish the Nuclear Waste Management Organization and to spend three years examining three different options for the long term management of nuclear fuel waste, including leaving the waste at the reactor site, moving it to a centralized storage facility, or creating an underground repository.
In June 2007 federal Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn announced their approval of the NWMO approach, saying that the approval of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization's proposal to bury nuclear fuel waste was "vital to the future of nuclear energy in Canada."
The idea of burying nuclear waste has been
around for decades, but the Canadian "concept" has never been demonstrated
to be safe or acceptable. A ten year federal environmental assessment concluded
that further research should be done by an agency independent of the nuclear
industry. In response to that report, the federal government created the
Nuclear Waste Management Organization, comprised of nuclear industries
from the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec.
Northern Ontario was previously identified
by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited as a preferred location for an underground
repository for nuclear waste. The NWMO has broadened its search criteria,
and considers any rock formation - not just the Canadian Shield - to be
a possible location for an underground nuclear waste dump.
The NMWO has posted a "concept" paper "Preparing
for Implementation" on its web site at www.nwmo.org, and has indicated
that it will be releasing a draft of its five year implementation plan
in mid-April, with an unspecified comment period. NWMO Board approval is
expected in mid-June.
Prior to another round of planned "multi-party
dialogues" in the fall of 2008, the NWMO intends to release a discussion
paper outlining its proposed approach to selecting a site for the underground
nuclear waste repository.
Uranium Refinery Expands Production and Incineration
Cameco Corporation has applied for an amendment
to their air discharge permits for their uranium refinery in Blind River
to allow an increase in production from 18,000 tonnes of uranium trioxide
to 24,000 tonnes per year and changes in the refinery's "operating status",
including receiving shipments from Port Hope of radioactive waste and uranium
contaminated oil to be burned in the refinery's incinerator.
Northwatch identified numerous concerns
during the 30 day review period in November 2007, with one of the most
significant being that the Ministry of the Environment had allowed consultants
for Cameco Corporation to set the limits for uranium emissions to air.
In addition, the proposal to amend the permit did not appear to include
a total loading or total release limit.
Northwatch has previously raised concerns
about Cameco's environmental performance to both the Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission and the Ministry of the Environment. Concerns relate to worker
health and safety, the environment, and public health at both of Cameco's
Port Hope and Blind River facilities. In July 2007, after discovering leaks
of uranium and arsenic into the soil under its conversion plant, Cameco
suspended operations at its facility in Port Hope.
There are numerous examples of their poor
performance at the Blind River refinery, including increases in average
whole body doses, average skin doses, lung count dose rates and maximum
skin doses during the licensing period, numerous excedences of the CNSC
monthly action levels, and uranium concentrations in soil at the Refinery's
perimeter with an average which is more than double background level.
A decision on the amendments to the permit
for discharges to the air has not yet been posted on the Environmental
Bill of Rights registry
Coming Right Up ... Calendar of Events
April 8 10 - Ontario Forest
Birds Workshop, Holiday Inn Waterfront Sault Ste. Marie, visit www.forestco-op.ca
April 15 - Information Centre to
review Proposed Operations for the Temagami Forest Management Plan 2009-2029,
Temagami Arena, 4-8 pm
April 16 - Greater Lake Nipissing
Stewardship Council Annual General Meeting, with Guest Speaker Dr. Paul
Gray, Senior Program Advisor, Applied Research and Development Branch,
Ministry of Natural Resources, making a presentation on Climate Change.
7 - 9 pm, Ontario Room, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23 ,150 First Avenue
West, North Bay
April 17 - Information Centre to
review Proposed Operations for the Temagami Forest Management Plan 2009-2029,
Joe's Steak and Pasta, New Liskeard, 4-8 pm
April 28 - The National Day of Mourning,
held annually to honour the lives of workers lost on the job..
April 19 - Sudbury Earth Day Festival, Downtown Market Square, Sudbury, 10 am-5 pm
April 19 - Information Centre to
review Proposed Operations for the Nipissing Forest Management Plan 2009-2029,
Holiday Inn Express, North Bay 10-2
April 22 - EARTH DAY!
April 22 - URANIUM:Citizens' Inquiry
on Impacts of the Uranium Cycle, Public Forum, Rideau Park United Church,
Ottawa, 1-5 and 6-9 p.m, visit www.ccamu.ca
April 22 - Information Centre to
review Proposed Operations for the Nipissing Forest Management Plan 2009-2029,
West Nipissing Library, Sturgeon Falls, 4-8 pm
April 23 - Info Centre, Nipissing FMP, Restoule Community Ctr 4-8
April 24 - Info Centre, Nipissing
FMP, Mattawa Curling Club, 4-8 pm
April 26 - Northwatch Spring Meeting,
Park Centre, Kagawong, Manitoulin Island
May 2-4 - Northeastern Ontario Regional
Local Citizens Committee Meeting, Sault Ste. Marie
May 29 - 30 - "Community Quality
of Life: From Indicators to Action", Ontario Healthy Communiites Coalition
Annual Meeting and Conference, for details visit www.healthycommunities.on.ca
August 14 - Blackout Day, visit
www.blackoutday.ca
August 22-24 - Northwatch Summer
Meeting, visit www.northwatch.org
New Reactors and Waste Dump for East Shore of Lake Huron
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission released draft guidelines on
April 7th for the environmental review of two separate projects
proposed for the Bruce Nuclear Station near Kincardine, on the eastern
shore of Lake Huron.
Bruce Power Inc. and Ontario Power Generation
are the proponents for the projects. Bruce Power is proposing the construction
of up to four new nuclear reactors at the existing Bruce Nuclear Site,
located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, north of Kincardine. The project
is expected to generate approximately 4,000 megawatts of electricity to
the Ontario grid.
Ontario power Generation is proposing to
construct and operate a deep-geologic disposal facility on the Bruce Nuclear
Site to receive low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes, produced
from the continued operation of OPG-owned nuclear generating stations at
Bruce, Pickering and Darlington, Ontario. Low-level waste consists of industrial
items that have become contaminated with low levels of radioactivity, during
routine clean-up and maintenance activities at nuclear generating stations.
Intermediate-level radioactive waste consists primarily of used nuclear
reactor components - such as the ion-exchange resins and filters used to
purify reactor water systems
Review participants, including Northwatch,
have until June 18th to review and comment on draft guidelines
for the Environmental Impact Statement. The guidelines identify the information
needed to examine the potential environmental effects of the proposed project,
as well as its requirements for a licence to prepare a site. A draft Joint
Panel Review agreement is also available for public review. The JRP agreement
deals with the establishment of an environmental review panel to perform
an assessment of the project's environmental impact and of the application
for a licence to prepare a site, which will be the first of a series of
licences required by the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and its
regulations. The documents are available at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Local Residents Oppose Timmins Area Hydro Project
Like so many environmental issues that pit industry against local citizens, Timmins is preparing to debate the demand for electricity and the demands for wild natural spaces for ecotourism and individual enjoyment.
Timmins is facing some tough choices. The building of a four megawatt hydro generating station threatens the social, historic and healthy lifestyle values of this community. How do you compare 4 MW of power, enough to service 300 homes, with the out-of-door experiences that many people consider vital to our way of life in Northern Ontario?
Over a 1.5 km distance the Grassy River drops over 30 metres ending in a mighty waterfall and pool. The rocky chasm that encloses the river is astonishing and awe inspiring during the spring flood but dries up to a shallow stream during the mid to late summer and fall.
High Falls is located only 23 km from downtown Timmins and is easily accessible by road from each side of the river. It is only a 10 minute walk to the rapids from a parking area. All this is within Timmins city boundaries.
Two years ago we were told by a Special Advisory Committee the river was considered unsuitable for power development due to the insufficient flow. This changed on October 31, 2007 when the hydro project was announced.
Twenty kilometres further upstream of High Falls, there is a flood control dam protecting the City of Timmins. To protect the city, water levels behind the dam are raised and lowered about 17 feet each year.
Five years ago there was no ecotourism business in Timmins. The potential was untapped. Today there are three businesses taking clients on outdoor recreation experiences that use the Grassy River. High Falls is the highlight of the trip. The economic value to these businesses is now in excess of $100,000 a year. The value of ecotourism is escalating and those businesses that have invested in this growth segment of our economy are devastated.
The fight is not easy. Speaking out against hydropower generation is akin to arguing against motherhood when you consider the fact that it is a clean and renewable source of energy, but the City Council of Timmins, at a recent meeting spoke out loud and clear. In this instance they want to keep the river as it is for the enjoyment of their citizens and visitors.
A public meeting was held by the Friends of High Falls in early February to allow Timmins citizens to voice their concerns and have their comments recorded These comments will be included in the data collected for the Environmental Screening process currently being undertaken by Hatch Energy of Niagara Falls.
Friends of High Falls on the Grassy River have made their decision. The hydro generating station must be stopped. Although we all use electricity, in this one unique instance, we believe a natural state must be preserved for this and future generations.
For further information contact Grant Tunnicliffe grantt1@mac.cm or check out the Friends website a
http://grassyriver.blogspot.com
Algoma Steel Convicted
Algoma Steel Inc. has been fined $75,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to violating the Ontario Water Resources Act. The Court heard that Algoma Steel Inc. left a drain valve open following maintenance work, resulting in the discharge of de-ammoniated liquor. The liquor, which contained high phenol concentrations, flowed directly to the main plant sewer and main water filtration plant. Algoma Steel Inc. was charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment's Investigations and Enforcement Branch. The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault St. Marie and sentence imposed on March 27, 2008.
New Pro-Mining Blog
A new pro-mining blog called the "Republic
of Mining" has been launched, and can be found on line at www.republicofmining.com.
Senior executives and other industry leaders are invited to submit their
commentary and speeches about contentious issues and challenges.
Regularly updated content on mining politics
and industry profiles including Sudbury Area Mining Service Supply Association
members plus exciting stories will ensure the Republic of Mining will become
a key information tool for the mainstream media, political decision makers,
and the general public.
Reprinted without permission