Pat Bruch
Dear editor:
Did you know there is a proposal for a new dump site on Peterson Road in Nestor Falls? And it will affect Kakagi (Crow) Lake, Lake of the Woods, and South Narrow Lake through natural and man-made water run-off.
Permission was given by the Ministry of the Environment in Kenora (to who “we don’t know”) to hire a consulting company, Golder Associates, to conduct a study which would result in recommendations for a new dump site.
That was five years ago and none of the locals knew about such a study. Why wasn’t that made public?
There was a town hall meeting on Aug. 12 in Nestor Falls presented by Golder Associates, a Toronto-based firm. No one knew about the meeting because it was so poorly advertised.
As well, it was held at 9 a.m. What working person can attend a meeting at 9 a.m. on a weekday? What summer resident wants to attend a meeting at 9 a.m.
About 30 of you did—kudos to you and thank the heavens you were there to start spreading the word.
The undated notice of meeting was filtered to the community “once” via the post boxes. It advertised the proposed new site to be located on Stevenson Road. Huh? Where the heck is that?
Many people interpreted that to mean a location up near Stevenson Lake, accessed via Cameron Lake Road. A location where no one lives. Hmmmmm! That could possibly work.
Wrong! Talk about confusion! That “typo” may have caused the poor turnout at the meeting.
Water drains downhill, we all know that. A review of the site on Google Earth indicates a mean elevation of roughly 1,251’ msl. The elevation at the surface of South Narrow Lake is 1,129’ msl and that of Crow Lake of 1,103’ msl.
We drink the water, we cook with the water, we wash our dishes and clothes with the water. Do the math—the potential of carrying leachate run-off into these lakes will have a very negative environmental impact.
And don’t think Lake of the Woods will come out of this without a scar . . . South Narrow Lake drains into Whitefish Bay (Lake of the Woods!)
The proposed site would be compromised in so many ways by a landfill site. At least six fishing camps use that road to access Lake of the Woods to drop boats for customers—customers who come from all over the world. In the fall, the road is used by hunters, again from all over the world.
But most importantly, there are two family homes at the end of Peterson Road. Imagine driving by the dump as a customer or a resident of Peterson Road . . . the smell, the flies, the plastic bags floating from tree branches, those dirty seagulls, and more than just the occasional bear, skunk, or whatever.
Great advertising to the world, don’t you think?
I can just hear some fishing camp owner saying to his or her client: “You’ll love Lake of the Woods. It’s one of Canada’s most recognized freshwater lakes. Just ignore the flies, the mess, and the smell.”
And boy, I certainly wouldn’t want my dog coming across a dump bear, and you can forget about doing your morning walk or run on the road for obvious reasons besides wildlife.
The engineer and the consulting company should give their heads a shake. I’ve heard that there were 40 sites identified. And the recommendation is for a site located on a road that is widely used by sportsmen, business people, and, most importantly, with families living on it?
Shame on you, Golder Associates!
My husband and I travel Highway 71 from Winnipeg all year. There is a lot of empty land north of Sioux Narrows. Why not keep the garbage in the north where it’s made. Trucking the garbage south just doesn’t make any sense at all.
Why not get everyone involved in a task force to explore and research the bigger picture . . . garbage dumps are problems wherever one lives but here, in pristine lake country, they are even a greater problem.
In any event, a task force could be made up of locals, summer residents, the chiefs or representatives of the native bands, engineers, and Golder Associates.
A decision to move a dump into our backyard will affect not only us, but it will affect our children and our children’s children, and so on.
We can make a difference. Make your voice heard. Contact, friends, children, grandchildren, neighbours, your work buddies. Then, make yourselves heard.
Contact your local government officials and Pamela Russell, Golder Associates, 100 Scotia St., Whitby, Ont., L1N 8Y6 or via e-mail at pamelarussell@golder.com
Thank you,
Pat Bruch
Kakagi Lake resident
