Puslinch councillors consider themselves in relatively good shape regarding the township’s fill bylaw.
On Feb. 5 Mayor Dennis Lever explained to councillors the Ministry of Environment’s (MOE) best management practices for excess soil was drafted but not backed up by regulations.
He said there have been articles in local Newspapers on the topic.
Lever added that in part due to pressure by Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, the MOE has agreed to look into the fill issue and management.
Lever noted a delegation from the town of Erin approached one of the Wellington County committees to raise the issue as well.
“(The group) has some significant concerns,” said Lever.
He added, “Fortunately, we here in Puslinch passed a pretty stringent site alteration bylaw not too long ago. We are in much better shape right now than many municipalities.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley said the standards being requested by Puslinch are higher than those in the MOE report.
“I think we are ahead of the game and protecting our township,” said Stokley.
He noted he wasn’t sure whether municipalities would be pressured to receive more material using other standards, which could create more problems down the line.
“Indeed some municipalities do not have stringent requirements as to what type of soil they will accept,” added Lever.
“They need to get to that step, and then initiate a more stringent control program.”
Lever said the MOE is recommending municipalities make use of all the resources currently available to them.
“This is our tool, and we are using it,” Lever said referring to the township site alteration bylaw.
The mayor added the current levy on fill being brought into the township is 6 cents per tonne.
