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March
2000 Newsletter
Panel
Waiting for Region
On
February 3, the expressway Review Panel announced it would
suspend its activities "until the Regional Municipality
of Hamilton-Wentworth submits its Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS)."
The
Region was supposed to supply a schedule to the Panel by
January 12, but instead sent a letter saying it won't participate
in the review. Instead it is carrying on court challenges
against the Panel, its chairperson and the legal requirement
that a federal assessment of the expressway takes place.
It
is noteworthy that the Panel has been careful not to accept
the Region's view that the Panel Review must await the court
decisions which may continue into 2002. The press release
from the Panel said that it will continue to review and
track the legal proceedings, monitor issues in the media,
and respond to letters from interested parties.
It also noted that the review panel process remains the
most timely and efficient manner to proceed. "We are confident
that the EIS can be done within a reasonable time and at
a reasonable cost," stated Nick Mulder. "We remain hopeful
that the Region will reconsider its position and will work
cooperatively with the Panel towards a timely completion
of this review."
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