The Dresden landfill issue has reached the desk of the federal environment minister, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) is now analyzing the proposed project.
The IAAC reviews major projects to support sustainable development, protect the environment, and uphold the rights of Indigenous Peoples, with an emphasis on collaboration and meaningful participation.
The lawyers representing Dresden Citizens Against Reckless Environmental Disposal (Dresden C.A.R.E.D.) made the request, saying reviving the dormant landfill may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, and that there is widespread public and Indigenous concern about the environment, species at risk, and habitats after the provincial government reversed a required environmental assessment for the project.
"Our client respectfully requests that the Dresden Landfill Project be immediately designated as a physical activity to which the IAA applies. Since several important areas of federal jurisdiction are potentially at risk of serious harm if the Dresden Landfill Project is allowed to proceed as proposed, it is imperative that a robust, precautionary, and comprehensive impact assessment is carried out with meaningful public and Indigenous participation in accordance with the IAA," wrote the Canadian Environmental Law Association. "If the Project is not designated under the IAA, then there will be an inadequate (or non-existent) assessment of the Project’s adverse effects upon fisheries, species at risk, migratory birds, Indigenous rights, and climate change implications, all of which are within federal jurisdiction. Allowing the Project to proceed without conducting an impact assessment under the IAA is unreasonable, unconscionable, and unacceptable."
Dresden C.A.R.E.D. is asking those opposed to the proposed landfill to send letters and comments to the IAAC as soon as possible, informing them why the dump must be stopped.
The local environmental group said the landfill is not acceptable and wants the letter writers to warn the IAAC that methane gas aquifers will explode and blow up the town, similar to what happened in Wheatley.
A recommendation will be made to the president of IAAC on whether to designate the landfill under the Impact Assessment Act when the analysis is complete.
An agency spokesperson told CK News Today that a decision to designate the project or not will be posted to the registry on or before November 20, 2025. If the project is designated for an Impact Assessment, the assessment can take up to 300 days, according to the federal government.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has also requested a federal environmental review under the Impact Assessment Act, adding that it wants to examine opportunities to challenge the legislation through different appeal routes.
CK Director of Planning Services Ryan Jacques said York1 Environmental Waste Solutions Ltd. in Toronto (the proponent) has not filed any planning or zoning applications to begin reviving the landfill, adding that the general public should call 311 if they see any activity at the site.
Dresden Councillor Jamie McGrail noted the municipality has already given the federal government more details surrounding the landfill as requested.
York1 is proposing to construct and operate a waste disposal and regenerative recycling facility at 29831 Irish School Road near Dresden. The proposed project includes alteration of an existing landfill that would hold up to 1.62 million cubic meters of non-hazardous solid construction and demolition waste within an eight-hectare footprint, with a maximum daily limit of 1,000 tonnes. It also includes the expansion and alteration of an existing waste transfer station from 0.8 hectares to 25 hectares, to accept a maximum of 3,000 tonnes per day of recyclable materials and 1,000 tonnes per day of non-hazardous solid waste materials, including construction and demolition wastes and uncontaminated soil and soil-like materials.
