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News Release

Draft Interim Environmental Assessment documents released as part of the Durham/York Residual Waste Study

WHITBY, ON April 27, 2009 — The Regional Municipality of Durham has released a draft Interim Environmental Assessment (EA) study document, which outlines, in its entirety, the steps completed to date in the Durham/York Residual Waste Study.

The release of the draft EA study documentation is to be done in phases, in order to maximize the pre-submission review by the Government Review Team, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the general public. This first section contains the "front half" of the EA—a document that includes all information previously released to the public. It is also consistent with the new MOE code of practice for EAs in Ontario.

The Interim EA documents will be presented to the Joint Waste Management Group on May 5, the Site Liaison Committee (SLC) on May 6, Durham Region Works Committee on May 20, and Durham Regional Council on June 3. The SLC reports to the Joint Waste Management Group (a sub-committee of the Durham Region Works Committee and the York Region Solid Waste Committee) and is made up of nine members: four Durham Region residents and five residents from the Municipality of Clarington.

Comments related to this draft interim documentation may be submitted to the project team via email (info@durhamyorkwaste.ca), during the pre-submission period that ends on June 5. The general public will also have an opportunity to comment during the MOE's regulated review period, which follows the formal submission of the EA documentation. This formal submission—scheduled for late June/early July 2009—is subject to approval by both Durham and York Regional Councils.

Since 2005, these two regions have been working together to examine ways to manage residual waste—the waste that remains after composting and recycling. The Environmental Assessment's next steps include the final site- and technology-specific studies. For more information on the Durham/York Residual Waste Study, or to review project milestones to date, visit www.durhamyorkwaste.ca, call 905-307-8628 (or toll-free at 1-866-398-4423), or email info@durhamyorkwaste.ca.

Media Inquiries:
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM:
Tania Laverty – Works Communications Officer
905-668-7711 ext. 3732