Phase 1 of Midhurst Secondary Plan gets provincial go-ahead

The 2018-2022 Springwater council in session last November. 

Ministry gives green light for Carson Road Stage 1 infrastructure works to proceed in Midhurst

News release from Springwater Township

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has provided confirmation to the Township of Springwater that the conditions related to the Midhurst Environmental Assessment have been fulfilled and infrastructure works related to the Carson Road Stage 1 Subdivision (Micks) may proceed.

In November 2019, Minister Jeff Yurek informed the township that an individual Environmental Assessment for the Midhurst EA would not be required, however, there were seven conditions to be satisfied prior to infrastructure works taking place.

In summary, the conditions outlined by the MECP required the municipality to:

-Prepare a plan to identify any species at risk that may be adversely affected by the work related to the undertakings in the EA. The plan was to be approved by the Director of the Ministry’s Species at Risk Branch and be implemented prior to any work or construction activities;
-Update the ‘Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly Habitat in the Minesing Wetland and Midhurst Development’ memorandum with further information since it was written in February 2017;
-Inform and consult with landowners that may be impacted by source water protection policies, as a result of new municipal wells. Those discussions could include potential Risk Management Plans related to source water protection; and,
-Prepare an Odour Mitigation Plan for the design and operation of any proposed wastewater facilities, which will form part of the Environmental Compliance Approval application. The plan was to be made available to the public on the township website prior to any construction activities taking place.

In October 2020, a letter was submitted requesting that the Ministry confirm the township’s position regarding the fulfillment of the conditions and to permit the construction of the Carson Road Stage 1 infrastructure. In response to the letter, the MECP provided confirmation on Nov. 25, 2020 that the Minister’s conditions had been fulfilled for the Carson Road Stage 1 infrastructure component of the project.

As a result, the developer of the project is permitted to proceed with external works associated with this stage of the Midhurst Secondary Plan, specifically:

-Midhurst Interim Wastewater Treatment Plan (WWTP) to be located within the water and wastewater site on Snow Valley Road;
-Effluent discharge pipe from the Wastewater Treatment Plant along Wilson Drive and Highway 26;
-Carson Road Interim Water Treatment Plant and associated wells to be located within the water and wastewater site on Snow Valley Road; and
-External road upgrades related to this phase.

For additional information on the Midhurst Secondary Plan and the Environmental Assessment, click here.