By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After a long period of no contact, Chatham-Kent officials are formally meeting with a planner representing York1 Nov. 15.
This coming on the heels of news the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada turned down a request to undertake an environmental assessment at the Dresden landfill site on Irish School Road owned by York1.
The formal ask to the IAAC was a joint effort between Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal, Chatham-Kent and Walpole Island First Nation.
Chief administrative officer Michael Duben and deputy CAO Dave Taylor both spoke to the matter at the Nov. 3 council meeting.
Taylor told council officials were discouraged by the IAAC refusal.
“It’s really a shame,” Taylor said. “We’re disappointed with that.”
According to Taylor, IAAC officials said the agency believes existing provincial legislation will adequately address impacts the landfill may have on the environment, as well as on Indigenous people.
“We don’t agree with that and that’s why we made the submission (to the IAAC),” Taylor said. However, he said the refusal is not the end of the fight, as York1 still needs approvals from Chatham-Kent.
“We’ve consistently pointed out that York1 has to come to this chamber and ask for land use planning approvals in order to move forward with their project,” he said. “We’re pushing that issue.”
Taylor also spoke as to why Ontario’s Bill 197 can’t be used to stop a landfill if it’s too close to a town, saying he believes the legislation applies to new landfills only.
“It appears the province is taking the position that because there was some historic land-use planning approvals here, it doesn’t appear they are suggesting there’s a new landfill,” Taylor said. “But I do want to confirm we are continuing to look at that avenue.”
According to Taylor, Chatham-Kent hasn’t been informed as to what York1 is planning or what the provincial process for approvals will be.
Duben added there are many unknowns.
“For the very first time, they (York1) reached out to me and I’ve been here for three years,” Duben said. “The process is one we don’t understand because it is a new process that hasn’t occurred before,” he explained, adding Chatham-Kent will also reach out to Walpole Island First Nation to find out where they are in the consultation process with York1.
More information will be shared with the public as it becomes available, Duben said.
Since the York1 project came to light early in 2024, the community – along with several municipalities including Chatham-Kent – has been staunchly opposed to the project that will see a dormant landfill revived to accept demolition and construction waste. Soil washing and recycling will also take place at the site.
