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Ministry of the Environment approves sewer expansion details |
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There were many issues raised against the proposed sewer expansion project in Saugeen Shores north of the Saugeen River. Among the many issues were - that the project was premature; the economic impact and details were not clearly defined; there would be adverse impacts on fish habitat; there was inadequate First Nation Consultation; lack of evidence that septic systems adversely impact groundwater/surface water; that financing is unsound and inequitable; that there was inadequate public consultation; that there would be adverse impacts on the natural environment and that a detailed assessment of the soils and Saugeen River water quality would have to be done. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE), after looking into each of the issues raised, gave approval for the sewer expansion moving forward. MOE Responses to Objections: Objection: Project is premature: Response: In the Bruce County Official Plan the area is to be serviced with municipal water and wastewater in accordance with the Provincial Policy Statement. Objection: Project has an adverse affect on fish habitat Response: No critical life cycle habitat features were observed. All fish caught were very common species with no significant status and that the Saugeen River would have a warm-water designation with no migratory game fish present. The EIS indicated that the Project conforms to the County of Bruce Official Plan and the approved Town OP.... The Project File indicates that the existing Southampton Sewage Treatment Plant has the capacity to treat sewage flows from the Project area for a 20-year planning horizon ( 2008-2028) The EIS states that no adverse impact on surface water or groundwater is expected for the project. Objection: Inadequate First Nation consultation Response: According to the MOE, the Town in fact contacted the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation and met to discuss concerns regarding archaeological impacts of the project and the study found no artifacts and recommended no further field study. (2008-2028). Objection: Inadequate public consultation Response: The MOE determined that adequate public consultation criteria had been met, after several 'town-hall' type meetings were held where the public could present views and/or objections. Objection: An adverse impact on the natural environment and ecological functions of the area including impact on rare flora/fauna or species of concern . Response: No identifiable rare flora/fauna or species were observed or historically known in the identified area.
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Objection: Inadequate water testing was done Response: A Sewer Needs Study in fact indicated that only five of 19 sub-areas within the project area met the criteria suitable to support on-site sewage (septic) systems. The remaining 14 were considered not suitable to support properly-functioning septic systems. The reasons include - a high groundwater table, poor soil conditions and/or undersized lots. With regard to financial impact, the Ministry considered and approved of the Town's attempt to help minimize the financial impact to homeowners through defined financial planning steps:
Overall, the Ministry of the Environment feels that "...municipal sewage collection and treatment systems are a solution that is favoured by the province over individual or communal private systems for settlement areas. " The municipality [Saugeen Shores] now has official approval from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to go ahead with the proposed sewer expansion project and which has now gone to tender with a deadline of February 25, 2010.
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