Impact Assessment Needed

Friday, 25 April 2014 at 06:07

Oxford's Acting Medical Officer of health reiterates need for health impact assessment in Walker Industries Southwestern Landfill Proposal.

WOODSTOCK -- Oxford County Council this week was asked to endorse a recommendation by the County's Acting Medical Officer of Health to include an in-depth Health Impact Assessment as part of the Environmental Assessment for the Walker Landfill Proposal.

Acting medical officer Dr. Doug Neil says the county's Public Health and Emergency Services department had been asked to comment on the impacts of the proposed landfill to the community.

"We have been of the opinion that we stated in October and reiterated this week, that a formal health impact assessment should be done which is an in depth assessment of how that landfill project could impact upon the health of the citizens of Oxford."

Council enforced the recommendation as it was presented.

To be included as part of the overall Environmental Assessment, the report on health impacts must be included in Walker Industries amended Terms of Reference, which is still open for public comment until May 20.

Dr. Neil says an in-depth health assessment will go farther than simply looking at whatever dangerous substances may be involved.

"Because there's more to health than simply toxic substance or something like that, there may be something that immediately would jump to mind, but of course we don't want to deal with that issue. But having something like added traffic coming down the road impacts on people's health and well being as well."

With council's endorsement, Warden Don McKay will sign a letter to the Premier, along with the Minister of Environment further outlining to county's position that a health impact assessment be included going forward.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario notes that since 1989, 649 of Ontario’s 730 landfills have closed.

Walker Environmental's web site points to fewer than ten landfills which have opened during the same time period.

Ontario relies on shipping waste to the United States for disposal and sends close to three million tonnes of solid waste to Michigan and New York annually.