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#A05-6, Expert Panel on Sound-Sorb
WHEREAS the Experts Panel on Sound-Sorb submitted its report to the MOE on January 31, 2005 and its six recommendations included the following:
"Paper fibre biosolids should be controlled by Certificates of Approval or legal instruments that provide equal or better protection for human health and the environment at all the stages from its generation, through transport, composting and final use in the construction of berms..."
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT aIPHa urges the Government of Ontario to act immediately to implement all the recommendations of its Experts Panel on Sound-Sorb as soon as possible |
May 9, 2006
Durham MPP John O’Toole has called on the provincial government to take action concerning the control of paper fibre biosolids following the recommendations of the provincial experts’ panel. Mr. O’Toole has introduced his own Private Member’s Bill (Bill 24) to require that a person obtain a certificate of approval from the Ministry of the Environment before spreading or storing sewage sludge, other biosolids and products derived from them. Please click here to read the press release. Please click here to view the first reading of the Bill
March 31, 2006
Brock Council (part of Durham Region) has taken steps to consider a by-law that would ban paper sludge as there is no clear motion on the issue by the MOE. Please click here to view a related news item.
February 22, 2006
alPHa has received a response from the Minister of the Environment indicating that the findings of the Expert Panel on Sound Sorb are being considered by the Ministry. Please click here to read the response.
December 15, 2005
alPHa sent a letter to the Minister of the Environment introducing Resolutions A05-6 and A05-11. Please click here to read the letter
April 25-May 24
Local Municipalities (Scugog, Clarington, Oshawa) and Region of Durham have passed motions endorsing the Expert Panel Report on Sound-Sorb and calling for full implementation of its recommendations.
January 31, 2005
Report of the Experts Panel on Sound-Sorb released. Among other recommendations, it urges that the "product formulation" exemption be removed so that it is subject to Certificates of Approval prior to its deposition:
"The Expert Panel is recommending that the bulk use of PFBs be handled under MOE Certificates of Approval for all steps of its life-cycle or by other legal instruments that can provide equal or better protection for both human health and the environment. The product formulation exemption should not be applied to Sound-Sorb" (p.9).
Click here for the full report.
January 17, 2005
At a meeting held on January 17 ,2005, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington endorsed the resolution of the Regional Municipality of Durham to end the exemption of paper fibre biosolids under O. Reg 347. Click here to view the endorsement.
October 14, 2004
Bill 125 introduced for first reading. It is an amendment to the Environmental Protection Act to require that a person obtain a certificate of approval from the Director before spreading or storing sewage sludge, other biosolids (paper fibre biosolids are explicitly included in the definition) and products derived from them. A certificate of approval may be subject to the testing, recording and reporting requirements that the Director sees fit.
January 8, 2004
Response received by Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky, indicating that while no environmental impacts have been made clear, a detailed technical review is being conducted by an expert panel. Please click here to read the response.
December 4, 2003
Letter sent by alPHa to Environment minister Leona Dombrowski reintroducing the Resolution, and calling for a reversal of the exemption of Sound-Sorb from environmental regulation. Please click here to read the letter.
November 27, 2003
The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario's Annual Report, 2002-2003 - Thinking Beyond the Near and Now, has been posted, and contains a specific entry on Sound-Sorb, the "product" that is the subject of this Resolution. In summary, the Commissioner argues that the exemption of this paper fibre biosolid/sand mix from the requirements of Ontario Regulation 347 (by considering it a product rather than waste) is a mistake. Please click on the link below to view the full report. The section on Sound Sorb is on pp 150-155, with Ministry comments on page 210.
http://www.eco.on.ca/english/publicat/ar2002.pdf
December 20, 2001
Received a letter from Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Brian Coburn, assuring alPHa that his Ministry is committed to the passage of Bill 81, the proposed Nutrient Management Act. |
