Letter from MECP re: Township's failure to consult with residents on extensive land use changes
Thank you for your emails of June 27, 2023, and July 12, 2023, to the Ministry of the
Environment, Conservation and Parks (the ministry) regarding the class environmental
assessment and addendum for the Highway 417 Industrial Park undertaken by the
Township of Russell.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that ministry staff have been in contact
with the Township of Russell (the Township) to discuss your concerns. As part of these
discussions, it was determined that, due to a misinterpretation of the Municipal Class
Environmental Assessment (MCEA), the Township did not comply with the
requirements of the MCEA with respect to consultation. This is because it was
determined that the Township did not consult with all potentially affected members of
the public, including immediately adjacent landowners.
The ministry has therefore advised the Township of Russell that, prior to moving forward
with the servicing of the Highway 417 Industrial Park, any applicable requirements
under the Environmental Assessment Act for project must be met. This includes
notification about any subsequent planned environmental assessment work for the
project to provide the interested members public with accurate and up to date
information. Until the requirements of the MCEA have been addressed, the project
described in the completed MCEA and addendum may not proceed to implementation.
In response, the Township has informed the ministry that it intends to undertake
additional environmental assessment work.
If you require further assistance regarding the MCEA process, please contact Mr. Jon
Orpana, Regional Environmental Planner, at jon.orpana@ontario.ca or (613 548 6918).
For any questions regarding the additional environmental assessment work that is to be
undertaken by the Township for the servicing of the Highway 417 Industrial Park, please
reach out to Jonathan Bourgon at Jonathanbourgon@russell.ca and 613 443 1747 x.
207.
Sincerely,
Nick Colella
A/Manager, Environmental Assessment Services
Environmental Assessment Branch