ERRC Hearing Update

From Friends of Simcoe Forests

To our supporters,

We thought it was important to touch base and give you a little update on the Environmental Resource Recovery Centre (ERRC) hearing.

The Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) hearing regarding the ERRC has ended. Evidence from all parties has been presented and closing arguments have concluded.

We are extremely fortunate to have The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) representing the Friends of Simcoe Forests. CELA’s dedication and commitment through this hearing process have been absolutely outstanding. They did an excellent job of presenting our evidence, as did FSF’s expert witnesses and lay witnesses. We greatly appreciate the efforts of each and every one of them.

The Province and The County fully support the ERRC in the Freele Forest. The Township of Springwater also appears to support the ERRC in the Freele Forest. This adds to the difficulty of this case but also reiterates the importance of this case. Allowing an industrial use such as the ERRC in designated Greenlands within the Natural Heritage System is precedent setting. Constructing a major Waste Management Processing Facility in the Freele Forest will greatly impact the forest and the surrounding areas as well as potentially open up the possibility of utilizing other greenspaces throughout the County for inappropriate uses.

It is expected that a decision from LPAT on this case could take some time. It appears unlikely we will see a decision before the New Year. We all will have to remain positive and patiently wait for the outcome.

We will certainly keep you posted.