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News Release

For immediate release
October 13, 2006

RICHMOND LANDFILL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT TO NOT PROCEED

TORONTO – In an unexpected development, Waste Management of Canada Corporation has withdrawn its environmental assessment for its proposed Richmond landfill expansion.

The company’s decision follows the government’s recent review which concluded that “the proposed undertaking not be considered for approval due to the public health and environmental concerns identified by the ministry, the Government Review team, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and the public.”

The Richmond landfill site is located on a highly complex subsurface environment where area residents use groundwater as a source of drinking water and is therefore vulnerable to contamination. The Ministry of the Environment’s review found that the EA failed to:

• Provide for a viable leachate control option that would protect water.
• Adequately describe groundwater baseline conditions;
• Provide sufficient information to determine whether or not the project could proceed without having serious transboundary environmental impacts.

The company’s decision to withdraw its environmental assessment is allowable under the Environmental Assessment Act.

“Protecting the environment is my number one priority,” Minister Broten said. “The EA Act allows me to impose conditions on the withdrawal. I will look at possible conditions with the environment and public health in mind."

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Contact information for media:
John Steele, (416) 314-6666 Ministry of the Environment Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ene.gov.on.ca