By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Documents related to the proposed York1 landfill and waste processing facility are being made public.
Posted on municipality’s Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent Defend Dresden webpage, the information includes Environmental Compliance Approval documents submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) as part of the ECA process.
According to a municipal media release, Chatham-Kent opted to release the documents “due to the significant public interest from the community and the need for the public to have as much information about the York1 proposal as possible.”
However, the release of the information comes with a caveat from York1, which agreed to posting the information along with this disclaimer.
“The documents provided herein have been submitted and authorized by York1 to be posted in accordance with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s procedures,” York1’s statement read. “The engagement method for the Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) process is overseen by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) through their Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) process. The ECA approval process is dynamic, and additional information and documents may be submitted to the MECP and added from time to time. Further, the MECP may require changes to some of the reports and documentation. As this municipal site is not intended as an engagement and information sharing site for the ECA Amendments, please refer to the MECP and their ERO process for the most up-to-date information.”
Along with a list of frequently asked questions, the Defend Dresden page also includes records filed by York1 and the municipality in connection with York1’s Ontario Superior Court of Justice application regarding Planning Act requirements.
The two sides are scheduled to meet in court Nov. 17 regarding York1’s plan to revive a derelict dump at 29831 Irish School Rd. north of Dresden. The proposal, which would see the construction of a recycling facility, as well as significant expansion of the landfill by the GTA-based company, has faced fierce opposition since the plan came to light early in 2024.
