Ministry’s surprise proposal threatens natural heritage protections at the proposed waste processing complex in the Freele County Forest
Friends of Simcoe Forests Outraged –
SPRINGWATER TOWNSHIP, MAY 30, 2019 – The Friends of Simcoe Forest Inc. have long been opposed to an environmentally destructive proposal by the County of Simcoe to place a waste management and processing complex in the middle of the Freele County Forest. After the County and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the proposal, the Friends of Simcoe Forests appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
The Friends are trying to uphold the protections in the Growth Plan for natural heritage features, including protections for significant woodlands and significant wildlife habitat.
In a surprise posting to the environmental registry, the Ministry appears to be attempting to circumvent the appeal process, even though the appeal has already been filed and all parties have already filed their materials. The proposed regulation targets this case for different treatment.
“The Minister seems to be singling us out. The natural heritage protections in the Growth Plan apply in the Growth Plan area, but the registry posting is trying to avoid those protections for just our case. It’s outrageous”, said Mary Wagner, President of the Friends of Simcoe Forests.
“The Friends of Simcoe Forests Inc., our supporters and members of the public have devoted considerable time, effort and financial resources over many years to fight this ill-conceived proposal. It’s simply unfair to change the rules of the game so late in the game”, said Cindy Mercer, Communications Officer of the Friends of Simcoe Forests.
Facts
For more information on the proposal and the appeal, contact Mary Wagner and Cindy Mercer at [email protected]
The Environmental Registry posting is found here:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0018
The Friends’ appeal relates to County of Simcoe Official Plan Amendment 2, and the Friends rely on sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4 which protect our natural environment.
Comments on this proposal are due by June 1, 2019, and can be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing via email at [email protected]
About Friends of Simcoe Forests
FSF is a not-for-profit incorporated organization whose goal is to inform and unite all people interested in conservation of Simcoe County Forest.
It is our goal to promote the protection and appreciation of the environment and lands which are there for all of us and future generations to use and enjoy.
Visit our website for more information.
Website: www.friendsofsimcoeforests.com
Email: [email protected]
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 26, 2015
October 24, 2015
The Ministry is attempting to bypass established legal procedures to undermine our forest protections. We must reach five hundred signatures to demonstrate the scale of public opposition before the next stage of our appeal. Please circulate this petition among your networks to broaden our reach.
September 26, 2015
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This initial response demonstrates a clear local resolve to hold the Ministry accountable for the integrity of our protected woodlands.
Reached 100 supporters
September 24, 2015
September 22, 2015
The Ministry is watching as our signature count approaches the first hundred. Please circulate this petition within your professional and social networks to ensure our message is impossible for them to ignore.
267 Comments
We're very sorry to say that one of our Forest Tracts was chosen. Site C136 is the preferred site. This 208 acre beautiful forest is located at 2976 Horseshoe Valley Road W and it needs your help to protect it.
Concerns of heavy traffic using the interestion of Hwy 27 & 3rd...changing of agricultural lands to industrial in an area of wetlands; impact on current property values...why not put this facility in an Industrail area already suited for this type of industry.
Plenty of concerns. Noise and odor to begin with, Groundwater contamination is always a major concern, since we all live downstream. Senselessly destroying public county forest lands, with that, the further displacement of wildlife.
Why are we considering using county forest or farmland rather than an existing open or closed landfill or transfer station. Either would have the existing infrastructure to accommodate such a project without further damage to existing habitat, watershed or ecosystem.
Pristine forests, groundwater and surface water sources, wildlife, endangered and threatened species of animals and plants are but a few of the reasons why these sites should NOT be considered for the Organics Processing and Material Management Facilities.
Moscow
Auckland
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Ministry’s surprise proposal threatens natural heritage protections at the proposed waste processing complex in the Freele County Forest
Friends of Simcoe Forests Outraged –
SPRINGWATER TOWNSHIP, MAY 30, 2019 – The Friends of Simcoe Forest Inc. have long been opposed to an environmentally destructive proposal by the County of Simcoe to place a waste management and processing complex in the middle of the Freele County Forest. After the County and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing approved the proposal, the Friends of Simcoe Forests appealed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
The Friends are trying to uphold the protections in the Growth Plan for natural heritage features, including protections for significant woodlands and significant wildlife habitat.
In a surprise posting to the environmental registry, the Ministry appears to be attempting to circumvent the appeal process, even though the appeal has already been filed and all parties have already filed their materials. The proposed regulation targets this case for different treatment.
“The Minister seems to be singling us out. The natural heritage protections in the Growth Plan apply in the Growth Plan area, but the registry posting is trying to avoid those protections for just our case. It’s outrageous”, said Mary Wagner, President of the Friends of Simcoe Forests.
“The Friends of Simcoe Forests Inc., our supporters and members of the public have devoted considerable time, effort and financial resources over many years to fight this ill-conceived proposal. It’s simply unfair to change the rules of the game so late in the game”, said Cindy Mercer, Communications Officer of the Friends of Simcoe Forests.
Facts
For more information on the proposal and the appeal, contact Mary Wagner and Cindy Mercer at [email protected]
The Environmental Registry posting is found here:
https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-0018
The Friends’ appeal relates to County of Simcoe Official Plan Amendment 2, and the Friends rely on sections 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4 which protect our natural environment.
Comments on this proposal are due by June 1, 2019, and can be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing via email at [email protected]
About Friends of Simcoe Forests
FSF is a not-for-profit incorporated organization whose goal is to inform and unite all people interested in conservation of Simcoe County Forest.
It is our goal to promote the protection and appreciation of the environment and lands which are there for all of us and future generations to use and enjoy.
Visit our website for more information.
Website: www.friendsofsimcoeforests.com
Email: [email protected]
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 26, 2015
October 24, 2015
The Ministry is attempting to bypass established legal procedures to undermine our forest protections. We must reach five hundred signatures to demonstrate the scale of public opposition before the next stage of our appeal. Please circulate this petition among your networks to broaden our reach.
September 26, 2015
The petition has reached one hundred signatures today. This initial response demonstrates a clear local resolve to hold the Ministry accountable for the integrity of our protected woodlands.
Reached 100 supporters
September 24, 2015
September 22, 2015
The Ministry is watching as our signature count approaches the first hundred. Please circulate this petition within your professional and social networks to ensure our message is impossible for them to ignore.
267 Comments
A decision that will negatively affect the forest, the land, the water and the air, wildlife and will bring the truck traffic & its accompanying pollution and so reduces the appeal of the rural community of those who chose this area for its current existence. Why is this a good idea?
We're very sorry to say that one of our Forest Tracts was chosen. Site C136 is the preferred site. This 208 acre beautiful forest is located at 2976 Horseshoe Valley Road W and it needs your help to protect it.
Concerns of heavy traffic using the interestion of Hwy 27 & 3rd...changing of agricultural lands to industrial in an area of wetlands; impact on current property values...why not put this facility in an Industrail area already suited for this type of industry.
Plenty of concerns. Noise and odor to begin with, Groundwater contamination is always a major concern, since we all live downstream. Senselessly destroying public county forest lands, with that, the further displacement of wildlife.
Why are we considering using county forest or farmland rather than an existing open or closed landfill or transfer station. Either would have the existing infrastructure to accommodate such a project without further damage to existing habitat, watershed or ecosystem.
Pristine forests, groundwater and surface water sources, wildlife, endangered and threatened species of animals and plants are but a few of the reasons why these sites should NOT be considered for the Organics Processing and Material Management Facilities.
Moscow
Auckland
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A decision that will negatively affect the forest, the land, the water and the air, wildlife and will bring the truck traffic & its accompanying pollution and so reduces the appeal of the rural community of those who chose this area for its current existence. Why is this a good idea?