tl/Reidetsafraid plant expansion wiII cause harm to enviroilment BY JASON MISNER The Champion Shirley Baylis fears a proposai to expand the mid-Halton sewage treatment plant risks destroying Lake Ontario, which is already suffering from a bad algae prob- lem gripping part of its shorelmne. "Lake Ontario is now reeking of algae, Uic water is receding and yet we continue to take advantage of lake water," Ms Baylis told regional councillors Wednesday. Treated effluent from Uice plant, located on North Service Road in Oakville, is released into Uic lake. "There's no guarantee the filth Uiat now flows into our lake will be somewhat elir- inated." A steady stream of residentîs approached councillors and said Uiat expansion of the mid-Halton sewage treatment plant could have a severe impact on the environmnent. Others felt Uic Region is imply expand- ing too quickly. "I believe Uic apparently headlong dash to grow and develop is shortsighted, reck- Region to start plant reports By JASON MISNER The Champion Halton Region will begin compiling for the firat time yearly reports on how its seven sewage treatment plants are operat- ing. The first report will come out early next year ahowing 2003 results. These will be similar to the water quaiity reports the Region posta every three monUis. Ifs ail pani of a major communications program Uic Region is untdertaking in a concerted effort to enaure the public has every opportunity to sec how expansion of Uic mid-Haiton sewage treatment is pro- ceeding, and ultimately perform-ing. The programn was unanimously paased by regional council Wednesday. The communications programn includes a number of initiatives, such as: - A citizen'a hotline - (905) 825-6000, ext. 7354 - set-up to log commenta. tt'a an answering service Uiat will allow you to leave commenta or messages for a staff person to eall back to answer questions. - A citizen-friendly chant posted on Uic Region's Web site www.region.halton.on.ca - to help peuple clarify the environmental asseasment procesa and opportunitica for participation. - Updates in newspaper advertisements paid for by Uic Region. " Plant tours for Uic media. " Regular updates on Uic citizens' adviso- ry committee through the media and regional council. Planning and public works commission- er Patrick Murphy wouldn't go as far as to say Uese are Uic moat elaborate tepa the Region has taken to keep the public informed of an issue, but said it's one thse Region is taking "very seriously." less, selfish and flot in the best mnterests of the existing population," Russell Kemp of Oakville, told council. Nearly four hours were spent debating the issue and the process is far from com- plete. Regional council was updated on the proposai to expand the sewage treatment plant. The $25 to $30 million project is needed to meet the massive servicing needs of the - west side Oakville, norUi of the QEW, new growth areas in south Milton and the Hwy. 401 industrial conridor in Halton Hills. The 'Big Pipe' will service these parta in Milton and Halton Hills and connect to the plant. The expansion is slateti to be completed by 2006. The plant is currently servicing 25,000 people. It has room to service 50,000 peo- ple and that will be fully utilized in the next three years. The expansion will have thc capacity to service a total of about 75,000 people. The plan doesn't require buying new land and additional infrastructure will be added onto the existing site. Construction coats will be covered by development charges that are paid by new businesses for growth-related infrastructure, like sewers. The sewage plant expansion has tumned mnto a battle of environmental protection versus growth. The region raised red flaga Iast week that if the plant isn't expanded on time - thew proposaI still requires officiai regional council approval - industrial and residen- tial growth in parts of Halton will freeze. That would mean bast tax money and potential new jobs. Regional councillors assured residents their concemas will be addressed by a citi- zens' advisory committee, expected to stant by late March. which will deal with envi- ronmental and technological issues during the design stage of the plant's expansion. Residents will help regional staff in developing the terms of reference for an cnvironmental asseasment. That includes looking at odour and algae problems, and detennining Uic beat available technology to minimize any possible impacts. The advisory commaittee, as passed by regional council, will constat of two mcm- see CITIZENS' on page 16 rED ElStationfoBRUSepte 19,r2003 We would be delighted to show you our curriculum and discuss the Iow teacherlstudent ratio, individualized programming and other features of our school. For more Informato piee <al905-567.3 7215 Millc ek Drive, Missssauga (North of Derry Road> Transportation, Before and After School available The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 18, 2003-7 el >«e c2 r OfC(LEAN $WEEP Large S Milton Mal 905-878-1414 BOB DOESN'T7 WANT TO COUNT UT INVENTORY Mn te 4 pm I