Comment from a member of the public regarding the Erin WTPP Designation Request Reference No: 81434

Dear Concerned Ministers Wilkinson, McKenna, Jordan,

I hope you are well!

I am writing to express my support of the Coalition for the West Credit River in its request for the Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant to be designated as a Project under subsection 9(a) of the Impact Assessment Act.

To give a bit of perspective, to the southeast of Erin, a half hour drive through the beautifully forested UNESCO biosphere of Belfountain, which is downstream of the proposed sewage effluent outlet, brings us eventually to the northern edge of Brampton, developments which have not left space for a single tree to grow, houses stretching to the horizon which all look the same, and which were not there two years ago. This is what the current provincial government is giving approval to these days, throughout the greenbelt, even if they have to do it as forcibly as using MZOs repeatedly for commercial purposes.

Living within the town of Erin, we do not feel we've been heard by our council whatsoever. None of the people within the town want this hastened development push. I am concerned that there is currently no back-stop of any kind for environmental disruptions on a provincial level. If this goes ahead, what will be next?

I've lived in Erin since 1980; it needs support in developing in a sensitive way. It HAS a lot of support for developing in a sensitive way. There is a great community rallying around this issue. But what more can we do? The lands have been sold. The current municipal government is creating a terrible precedent also, in ignoring its constituents, and failing to protect the town from provincial pressures of growth.

I have written and spoken with mayor Allan Alls, who is very cordial and pleasant in person. He's been a good resource in discovering some of the reasoning, as well as the precedents that are not public knowledge.
He issues two claims repeatedly: 1) that the town currently relies on "aging" septic tank systems, and 2) that Erin is obliged to "take its share" of "the growth".

The septic systems are well-maintained, discrete and pose no environmental hazard. We had ours serviced two years ago. The downtown area does need a modern solution to its "holding tank" system, requiring regular pumping. We never got to see any of the alternative solutions discussed, but we know of several possibilities to target this concern on its own.

The "growth targets" are completely unnecessary, except for the purpose of pleasing developers who have been itching to get shovels in the ground for years. It's a short-term idea for lining council's pockets.

In this context where the environmental "assessments" at a provincial level have been abbreviated, and the powers of the conservation authorities truncated, it would be nice to have some support from above before we lose such a positive treasure. I am indebted to the Coalition for the West Credit River for their adamant research in their stewardship of this land.

Sincerely,


James Ogilvie