The federal government has decided not to subject a proposed construction waste disposal and recycling facility in Dresden, Ontario, to a federal impact assessment, noting that federal and provincial legislation already exists to address public concerns related to any adverse effects from the landfill project.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) announced that its president, Terence Hubbard, determined the Dresden Waste and Recycling Facility Project, proposed by York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd., does not require designation under section 9 of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA).
The proposed project would see Toronto-based York1 Environmental Waste Solutions construct a waste disposal and regenerative recycling facility on the former 8-hectare landfill site in Dresden. Plans include modifying the existing landfill to hold up to 1.6 million m³ of non-hazardous construction and demolition waste, with a daily intake limit of 1,000 tonnes. The company also intends to expand an existing transfer station from 0.8 hectares to 25 hectares, to handle up to 3,000 tonnes per day of recyclable materials and 1,000 tonnes per day of non-hazardous waste.
In reaching his decision, Hubbard said on October 24 that he considered the potential for the project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, as well as public concerns, impacts on Indigenous rights, and whether other existing regulatory mechanisms could adequately address these issues.
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The proposal to reopen the landfill facility has drawn sharp criticism from the community of 2,400, many of whom have raised concerns about air quality, groundwater contamination, and increased truck traffic. The landfill would operate 24 hours a day, with up to 200 trucks per day transporting waste near residential areas.
In June, Chatham-Kent Council unanimously passed a motion directing administration to continue opposing the proposed landfill at 29831 Irish School Road. Local leaders host a website called Defend Dresden and have offered lawn signs with the message to community members.
The project must be carried out in compliance with applicable federal and provincial mechanisms, Hubbard stated, noting that several existing laws already provide a framework for oversight, consultation, and environmental protection.
Relevant federal legislation includes the Fisheries Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and Species at Risk Act. Provincial oversight will occur under laws such as Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act, Water Resources Act, Clean Water Act, 2006, Conservation Authorities Act, and the forthcoming Species Conservation Act, 2025.
Hubbard concluded that these mechanisms provide sufficient means to address potential adverse effects and that a separate federal impact assessment is not warranted.
