STAYING IN TOUCH
Energy-from-waste decision
By John O'Toole/The Scugog Standard

Ontario’s provincial government is moving closer to a very important decision on the proposed Durham/York Energy from Waste project. Staff from the Ministry of Environment completed their review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) plus recent amendments. Their report is almost 400 pages in length. However, the conclusions of Ministry staff indicate, in part, that: ‘The Ministry is satisfied that the proposed mitigation methods and contingencies will ensure that any potential negative impacts will be minimized and managed.’

Last week in the House, I had the opportunity to Question Ontario’s Environment Minister regarding emissions standards. Concerns have been raised over the monitoring of pollutants from the project. I asked the Minister if he can assure all of the people in my riding of Durham that this project will have the highest and best emissions standards, that it will be monitored and reported publicly and, more importantly, that there will be severe penalties for exceeding allowable limits. There is a final opportunity for public comments before the EA goes to the Minister of Environment for his decision. The deadline for comments is April 2 and the latest reports are available on-line at www.durhamyorkwaste.ca.

The proposed thermal treatment waste management facility is capable of processing up to 140,000 tonnes of residual municipal and solid waste. It will include an electrical power generating system. The location is south of Highway 401, on the west side of Osborne Rd. and north of the CN Rail corridor in Clarington.

Ontario’s provincial government will make the final choice of approving the Environmental Assessment, rejecting it, attaching additional conditions or ordering further hearings. Since the provincial government has final responsibility, it is important that the government has advice and input from all citizens. I encourage you to take this opportunity to be heard.

Have You Lost Access to Cottage Property?
Some owners of cottages and recreational land may discover their deeded rights-of-way have been cancelled. With the introduction of an electronic land registry database, recorded deed and land information was limited to 40 years prior to 2007.

However, many property owners may not be aware the right-of-way they are using to drive to their cottage, woodlot, hunting camp or other recreational property is no longer recognized. I am working to restore disappearing easements and rights of way.

I would be interested in your suggestions for possible legislation as well as any experiences you may have had regarding the loss of access to your property through the loss of what had once been a valid and deeded right-of-way.