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January
1999 Newsletter
A
Brighter New Year than Before
The
new year brings a growing sense of optimism for Red Hill
Valley. For the first time since 1995, we don't enter January
with the threat of imminent construction hanging over our
heads. Indeed, recent events have begun to convince even
our die-hard pessimists that the expressway is in trouble.
Things
are moving quickly and it is important to maintain the momentum.
In early December the public became aware of the effects
of the expressway air pollution on human health (which our
newsletter readers already knew about). This led even the
Hamilton Spectator to demand some answers from regional
council.
A
few days later, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans released
its draft scoping document for the federal environmental
assessment of the expressway. That certainly got Terry Cooke's
knickers in a knot. The schedule of the assessment precludes
a construction start in 1999, and the terms of reference
(or scope) makes it clear that the project is in real trouble.
It is much more than the region bargained for.
The
Region had obviously hoped they would only have to find
a way to ensure no net loss of fisheries habitat. Instead
the project will now be judged on its impacts on at least
the following criteria: groundwater quantity and quality,
surface water quantity and quality, Remedial Action Plan
water quality objectives, air quality, noise, microclimate,
contaminated sites, fisheries and fish habitat both within
Red Hill Creek and in the adjacent Hamilton Harbour, wetlands,
migratory birds, Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve,
ecosystem integrity, ecosystem function, resident and migrant
mammals and other wildlife, vegetation, rare and endangered
species, wildlife corridors, the Bruce Trail, interests
of First Nations, human health, historical and archeological
sites, and cumulative effects.
The
scope also includes the potential effects of accidents during
construction and operation and a review of the Watershed
Plan. More may be added as a result of the submissions of
Friends and other organizations.
Once
the scope is finalized, the federal authorities will evaluate
the impacts of the project. A draft report is not expected
before May and it may take longer. When it is released,
there will be 60 days for public comments after which the
report is finalized.
If
the report concludes that the expressway is: (1) "likely
to cause significant adverse environmental effects";
or (2) it is "uncertain whether the project...
is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects";
or "public concerns warrant a reference to a
mediator or a review panel"; then they must do one
of two things. Either they decide the project cannot proceed
and they refuse to issue the necessary fisheries permits;
or they decide further assessment is necessary and refer
the project to a full panel review.
A
panel would have to examine all the issues including whether
or not the expressway is needed, and it must look at alternatives,
including locations outside Red Hill Valley. Panel reviews
automatically include public hearings. They usually take
at least a year to complete and often much longer.
All
of this looks very hopeful. It seems inconceivable that
the assessment will not conclude the expressway is going
to cause "significant adverse environmental effects".
However, 45 years of fighting this project has shown that
it "ain't over till it's over". While environmental
assessment is intended to help us avoid making stupid mistakes
like building an expressway in the country's largest city
park, final decisions are always made by politicians with
one eye on getting re-elected. Consequently, it remains
critical that we continue to do everything we can to win
public support for the valley and against the expressway.
A
key opportunity moved back onto the stage in early January.
The media and council began the debate about the 1999 capital
budget. News stories finally reported two key facts: (1)
that councillors have diverted over $500 million from our
water and sewer system to pay for expressways and other
pet projects; and (2) that spending on the valley expressway
will mean there is no money to continue the cleanup of Hamilton
Harbour. In particular over $200 million is needed to complete
the tank system designed to prevent raw sewage from entering
the harbour and area streams.
Before
the end of March, council will again be deciding whether
to give priority to trashing the environment or cleaning
it up. Between now and then, each of our members needs to
write letters, make phone calls, and talk to their friends
and neighbours about this decision.
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