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GAIL SWAINSON
STAFF REPORTER The Toronto Star
Monday, June 20, 2005
Over protests from environmentalists, a York Region committee has unanimously approved a Big Pipe extension that cuts across the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Now, opponents are counting on Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky to reject the controversial 19th Ave. interceptor sewer.
Dombrowsky must give final approval to the link which, if built, will run along 19th. Ave. between Yonge and Leslie Sts. in Richmond Hill.
Opponents say the $43 million, four-kilometre-long project will run across sensitive portions of the moraine, which legislation forbids.
And they are hoping the province will order the region to seek an environmentally safer alternate route.
"It's time someone stood up to Ontario's environmental delinquent," said Rick Smith of Environmental Defence.
The decision goes to regional council Thursday for final approval before going to Dombrowsky's office.
Regional staff say the sewer is needed to accommodate future growth and to alleviate sewage backup problems experienced by local homeowners.
Chair Bill Fisch told the transportation and works committee Wednesday that the sewer connection will not damage the natural area because it will run underground.
"We're putting the environment way ahead of almost anyone else in the province," Fisch said.
Environmentalists insist there are safer routes — including one recommended by one of the region's own consultants — that would not bisect the moraine.
Josh Matlow of Earthroots told the committee the Oak Ridges Moraine Act bans building on linkage areas unless there are "reasonable alternatives."
"York Region has not met this test," Matlow said.
Critics say the region has chosen to ignore dissenting views, particularly those of an expert hired by a citizens committee and paid for by the region.
In his report, consultant Ernst Zaltsberg said the region's data is "not fully reliable."
"The region is going to make a final decision regarding the preferred route in the absence of the (supporting) hydrogeological report," Zaltsberg wrote.
"This is unacceptable and unprecedented," he added.
Matlow said the pipe is oversized, which will lead to even more development and sprawl.
"Every year, more and more green space is paved over to build communities that we know are unsustainable," Matlow told the committee. "We need forward-thinking leadership to stem the tide of unbridled development in York Region."
The region is also under fire for a trunk sewer expansion under construction on 16th Ave. between the 9th Line and Woodbine Ave. in Markham.
Critics say the 16th Ave. project has caused a creek to almost dry up, killing a rare species of fish and placing the region in violation of the Fisheries Act, something the region denies.
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