Funded, but not endorsed by the Ministry of the Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP), was a recent report “Best Management Practices for Aggregate Pit and Quarry Rehabilitation in Ontario.” The document was developed in March 2021 by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. BMP for Excess Soils The purpose of the document is stated as “The BMPs are intended to assist Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, aggregate licensees, and operators in evaluating...
Read MorePFAS Contamination and Release to Lake Ontario
In their 1971 song, “Don’t Go Near the Water” the Beach Boys decided to get more political. This was nothing like their other offerings as it tackled the issue of water pollution. Water, clean water in particular is essential for every aspect of human existence. While we have advanced tremendously in environmental protection since 1971, we cannot rest on our accomplishments. PFAS Found Near Canadian Military Base PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance have been a...
Read MoreEnvironmental Progress at Lake Simcoe
Tracing the roots of environmental protection, we can point to early efforts in the 1800s and early 1900s such as establishing the Canadian Forestry Association in 1900,.but it was in the 1960s and 1970s when the framework for our current environmental protection was established. Environment and Climate Change Canada was founded in 1971 then referred to as the Department of the Environment. Since this time, we have seen an increased focus on environmental protection. It...
Read More“Weakened Environmental Rules,” COVID, and a Strengthening Economy
2020 was a year like no other. COVID led to changes in just about every aspect of our lives, including how regulators enforced environmental rules. Not that enforcement is currently on holiday, but we do expect more attention on environmental matters as the economy recovers. “Weakened Environmental Rules” A recent study from the University of Calgary looked at “weakened environmental rules” under the pandemic. The author noted that “across Canada, the most common moves...
Read MoreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition – Part 2
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (for Records of Site Condition). The proposals were posted for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders. The comment period for these documents is open until April 4, 2021. We are again looking at just a portion of the 82-page document. For details, see Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site...
Read MoreProposed updates to Records of Site Condition Part 1: Excess Soils
On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) posted three proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The proposals are open for comments from Qualified Persons (QPs), municipalities, and stakeholders until April 4, 2021. The three documents, listed below, provide guidance to support the brownfields program. Proposed updates to Records of Site Condition: A Guide on Site Assessment, the Cleanup of Brownfield Sites and the Filing of...
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