EBR Application for Investigation of Town of Erin – Proposed Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant – Joint

By Linda Heron on Friday, August 27th, 2021

Posted in Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Registry, Environmental Reports, Fisheries, Joint, Land Use, ORA Submissions, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, West Credit River

West Credit River Brook Trout. Photo by Steve Noakes.

The Belfountain Community and Planning Organization and Linda Heron are filing an Application for Investigation of the Corporation of the Town of Erin, under Part V, of the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993. We are very concerned that the Town is moving forward to the construction phase of the Project when it has not yet fulfilled key commitments it made in its Town of Erin Urban Centre Wastewater Servicing Class Environmental Study Report. The Ministry will investigate whether the Town contravened or violated Section 38 of the Environmental Assessment Act.

Please click on this Google Drive link to view or download the Application for Investigation and Appendix A. Continue reading →

Inground Infiltration of Wastewater

By Linda Heron on Monday, June 7th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Fisheries, Joint, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Press Release, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, Water Quality, West Credit River

In consideration of the ecosystem benefits of a healthy West Credit River and its sensitive Brook Trout and Redside Dace population, we are recommending that inground infiltration of the final wastewater effluent be seriously considered, as a viable alternative to discharging warm sewage effluent directly into the West Credit River. Discharge of treated effluent by way of passive infiltration into the ground with slow percolation into this relatively small stream is the best way to ensure that the final effluent reaches the stream as natural and cold groundwater.

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Media Release: Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant – Federal Review Denied

By Linda Heron on Thursday, May 27th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Fisheries, Impact Assessment Act, Joint, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Press Release, Regulatory, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, Water Quality, West Credit River

West Credit River. Photo by Steve Noakes.

Judy Mabee, Chair of the Coalition and President of the Belfountain Community Organization stated that, “The Coalition is not deterred by the Minister’s Decision. We will continue on with our work to protect this highly valued coldwater Brook Trout population in the West Credit River. We are more than willing to work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other federal and provincial regulators, including the Town of Erin and its consultants, to advocate for a wastewater plant that sets a new best in class industry standard for the protection of sensitive coldwater receiving streams.”

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Minister Wilkinson Decision on Designation Request – Letter to Coalition

By Linda Heron on Wednesday, May 26th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Fisheries, Government, Impact Assessment Act, Joint, Land Use, ORA Submissions, Redside Dace, Regulatory, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, West Credit River

After careful consideration of the information provided by the Town of Erin, federal authorities, provincial ministries, the local conservation authority, the concerns expressed in your letter, other known public concerns, and advice from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency), I decided that the Project does not warrant designation pursuant to Subsection 9(1) of the IAA.

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Proposed Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant – Follow-up Commitments to the Environmental Study Report

By Linda Heron on Friday, May 21st, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Fisheries, Impact Assessment Act, Joint, ORA Submissions, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, West Credit River

The Coalition has carefully reviewed the ESR to see what habitat related to endangered or threatened species, Schedule 1 SARA species, migratory birds or rare and uncommon plants may have been impacted by significant damage that was done on the Solmar property in late December 2020 and into the first quarter of 2021. In particular, the damage related to the premature removal of brush and trees in and around the Project site, as well as significant damage to a first order tributary to the West Credit River in a Provincially Significant Wetland and Greenlands Natural Heritage designated area (Addendum 2). The Coalition has ascertained that there were no permits or authorizations for any of this work to take place. It is very difficult to do additional bird and tree studies when a great number of the trees and habitat were removed and burned.

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Experts agree: Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson must designate Erin Waste Water Treatment Plant for Impact Assessment

By Linda Heron on Monday, April 26th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Fisheries, Impact Assessment Act, Joint, ORA Submissions, Pollution, Press Release, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, Water Quality, West Credit River

West Credit River. Photo by Steve Noakes

Jack Imhof, an Aquatic Ecologist/Watershed Scientist, says “It is essential an independent federal assessment of the Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant be conducted in order to ensure the health of downstream communities and survival of the last healthy Brook Trout and Redside dace populations left in the Credit River watershed. This is NOT a “Fish or People” issue.” Jack Imhof has been involved in the study, assessment and management of the West Credit River since 1979, as well as the data collection and writing of the West Credit Subwatershed Study.

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Media Release: Town of Erin pays only $2 for 5 Hectares of Prime Real Estate?

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, April 6th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Climate Change, Joint, ORA Submissions, Press Release, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities, Water Quality, West Credit River

Brook Trout fry, Photo by Steve Noakes

ERIN: Mayor Alls of Erin boasted, “I can reach in my pocket and pay for it” when the Town of Erin announced the purchase of 5 Hectares of land for $2 – land with an estimated value of $210,000 in the Environmental Study Report (ESR).

Environmental lawyer David Donnelly spoke to the more than 300 people attending the March 25th virtual meeting to discuss the impact of the proposed Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant on dumping 7.2 million liters of sewage effluent daily into West Credit River Brook Trout habitat.

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Request to appear before the Standing Committee on Environment & Sustainable Development – Joint

By Linda Heron on Monday, March 15th, 2021

Posted in Fisheries, Government, Impact Assessment Act, Joint, ORA Submissions, Redside Dace, Regulatory, Regulatory Submissions, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Sewage, Species at Risk, West Credit River

West Credit River, Photo by Steve Noakes

The Coalition for the West Credit River is writing to you today to share our urgent concerns about an impending and grave threat to the ongoing health of the West Credit River and the sensitive coldwater environment and ecosystem that it sustains. The West Credit River flows through the Towns of Erin and Belfountain, a premium get-away for fly fishers and GTA urban dwellers seeking near-wilderness respite just a short drive northwest of Toronto.

The West Credit River is acknowledged as one of the last remaining wild and self-sustaining native Brook Trout fisheries in southern Ontario and is recognized for its environmentally significant ecosystem as part of a UNESCO World Biosphere protected area, well before it exits at the Forks of the Credit River.

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Coalition concerns over Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant

By Linda Heron on Tuesday, January 26th, 2021

Posted in Aquatic Life, Brook Trout, Dam Removals, Dams, Environmental Assessment Act, Fisheries, Impact Assessment Act, Impacts, Municipal, Ontario Water Resources Act, Proponent Led Process, River Concerns, Rivers at Risk, Septic Systems, Sewage, Sewage, West Credit River, West Credit River

Our concerns are well documented in the attached Briefing Notes report, which has been prepared by our Coalition in the process of requesting a federal review under the Impact Assessment Act.

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ERO-019-1080 – Proposed changes to environmental approvals for municipal sewage collection works

By Linda Heron on Saturday, August 22nd, 2020

Posted in Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Registry, ORA Submissions, Regulatory, River Concerns, Sewage, Sewage, Stormwater, Urban Development, Waste Water Treatment Facilities

The ORA strongly objects to any approach that eliminates the opportunity for public and Indigenous consultation and input regarding any sewage and stormwater infrastructure projects, especially any expansions or upgrades when they could have a negative environmental impact on the riverine environment and communities.

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