Spreading sewage sludge
The court found that experts disagree about the potential risks associated with the use of Biosolids, and that the municipality had jurisdiction to ban their use within its boundaries.
View the post titled Spreading sewage sludgeWhat's an ANS?
Here’s another fun question about Reg. 511/09, the recent amendments to Reg. 153/04: what’s an “area of natural significance” (ANS)? S. 1 now defines ANS to include “an area which is habitat of a species that is classified under section 7 of the Endangered Speci…
View the post titled What's an ANS?Better ideas about liability, allocation and fairness
Kudos to the Nova Scotia Law Reform Commission for its thoughtful and groundbreaking report on how to encourage redevelopment of contaminated sites. Unlike the recent decision of Ontario’s Environmental Review Tribunal in Kawartha Lakes, the commission recognizes that uncertain and unf…
View the post titled Better ideas about liability, allocation and fairnessHow much is nuisance worth?
In Blatz v. Impact Energy Inc., the Alberta Court of Queen’s bench found a gas drilling company liable for contaminating a well on the landowners’ property. As a result, the landowners had to drill a new well and also suffered weeks of health problems, such as diarrhea, mouth sores, and blad…
View the post titled How much is nuisance worth?Fairness, non-polluter pays and Kawartha Lakes
Should municipalities have to pay to cleanup private spills? See today’s article in Lawyer’s Weekly.
View the post titled Fairness, non-polluter pays and Kawartha LakesBetter federal environmental assessments coming?
This morning, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in MiningWatch Canada v. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans et al. As you will see, MiningWatch’s appeal has been allowed. The unanimous court ruled that the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act requires government to condu…
View the post titled Better federal environmental assessments coming?Taking the Minister to court, personally
Jeffrey Lowes, Director of Government Relations for M-REP Communications, claims to have launched a private prosecution against the Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen personally, and five senior civil servants. Mr. Lowes argues that Ontario’s ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides is…
View the post titled Taking the Minister to court, personallyContracts with consultants
Dianne spoke this week on why you should take nothing for granted when hiring environmental consultants, and especially should not accept the “standard terms and conditions” proposed by most major consulting firms in Ontario. Here is the presentation: Working with Consultants.
View the post titled Contracts with consultantsEnvironmental Penalties higher in 2009
The Ministry of the Environment issued more environmental penalties in 2009: 13, totalling over $107,000. Although the total is still small, this is a significant increase over the 6 EP, totalling $69,583, that the Ministry issued in 2008. Companies were able to obtain reductions of up to 25…
View the post titled Environmental Penalties higher in 2009Wood fires, soot and climate change
Soot (black carbon) is not a greenhouse gas, but it is carbon’s accomplice in global warming.
View the post titled Wood fires, soot and climate changeReceive Blog Posts
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