Northern Daily News
Thursday, January 10, 2002
Letter to the Editor
(Editor's note: The following is a letter to the
Ministry of the Environment concerning a recent information meeting,
sponsored by the Timiskaming Federation of Agriculture over Bennett
Environmental's proposed soil decontamination treatment plant.)
To the editor:
Today, Saturday, Ian. 5, 1 had the opportunity to
attend a public information seminar sponsored by The Temiskaming
Federation of Agriculture held in Kirkland Lake to hear the
proponents and opponents present their case with regard to the
proposed establishment of a contaminated soil treatment facility in
Kirkland Lake by Bennett Environmental Inc.
I am very pleased that I attended this particular
seminar as I left the building more knowledgeable and more convinced
than ever before that this facility will be a great benefit not only
to Kirkland Lake but to the areas of south Timiskaming as well.
The representatives from the Bennett side, Mr. Danny
Ponn and Dr. , William Mills gave a very detailed ] and knowledgeable
assessment of the facts, while the two American 4 gentlemen (1 wonder
why the organizers had to secure "experts" from as far away
as Texas and New York) representing the opponents provided very
little substance for debate, except perhaps rhetoric to inject some
adrenaline into the veins of those who cut their protest teeth on the
" Adams Lake" battle.
I consider myself an environmentally conscious person,
one who is basically concerned with the quality of our wa ter, air
and soil.
Why, therefore, are the Temiskaming Federation of
Agriculture and Public Concern Temiskaming opposed to cleaning up the
soil contaminants which exist almost everywhere in the Province of
Ontario including Kirkland Lake, Englehart, Earlton and New Liskeard areas?
It is curious that nowhere in any of the literature
produced by Public Concern Temiskaming are the words "Cleaning
Up The Environment"indicated.
One must therefore draw the conclusion that these
individuals are not concerned with soil, water and atmospheric
pollutants or the consequences which can arise as a result of their existence.
If the Bennett Environmental Inc. proposal meets the
environmental standards, then I strongly suggest that they be allowed
to establish their contaminated soil treatment facility in Kirkland
Lake and that the people from outside the area allow Kirkland Lakers
to get on with their lives void of interference from the " Anti-Environmentalists".
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express
my support for a successful conclusion to the environmental
assessment application by Bennett Environmental Inc.
Edward N. Ross
Kirkland Lake