MARCH 17, 2015
FOURNIER, ONTARIO
Local residents say they are fed up with the trucks hauling
ash to the waste disposal site and worried the debris is harmful.
The ash seeps through and leaks off of trucks hauling the
ash to the waste disposal site from the beginning of Bradette Road then onto
Fournier concession 5 road and then continue onto the Dunn's Lake road for
approximately five miles, argue residents Shirley Bégin, Ann Prévost and Janet
Prévost.
The Ministry of the Environment was called, according to
complainants, in and a partial clean-up carried out. However, they say the rest
of the ash was pushed aside to melt.
Residents are concerned the seepage could impact groundwater
and Crickard Lake, which is only 150 meters from the roadway.
“We were told by the town that the ash is non-toxic, but
what happens when it comes in to contact with water,” argue residents? “Contact
with former workers of the ash company tell us that the ash on their boots
would eat through the soles, also where the boots were kept in their homes, it
ate the flooring off.
“Non-toxic, huh!”
Residents say they are up in arms to not have the waste
disposal site for another 30 years. with environmental concerns for the future
generations including the potential harm relating to:
- Water contamination of lakes, streams and local wells
- animal life, increase in bears within the immediate
surroundings\
-plant life: berry plants, medicinal plants and other plants
-Chemical waste (with no monitoring control for residential
waste. ei fluorescents lights, batteries, ect)
- Health concerns: air pollution, dust from ash, dust from
traffic
- Culture impact in particular for the local First Nations
and Metis residents
-Decreases in property values
-The increase in traffic and noise and garage along the side
roads
-Damages to the local roads
-Unpleasant odours
-Visual impact
-Reasonable alternatives have not been meaningfully
considered.
Source: http://www.cochranetimespost.ca