In the future, old and closed dumps in Wellington County might serve as recreation areas for people who like to hike and picnic.
But, those days are not yet here.
That was the message from solid waste services committee chairman Don McKay on Feb. 23 when he presented a report to county council about the fencing of an old landfill in Erin.
There had been Newspaper articles and some complaints about the county’s suddenly placing fences around the properties.
Some objected to that work when the fences went up starting last November.
County engineer Gord Ough told the committee in a report the action was taken because the town had been asked because a neighbour wanted some help to stop trespassers who were using the dump site and damaging adjoining properties.
Ough’s report stated “Trespassing on this property has been an issue since the site closed in 2003.”
He wrote, “Dirt bike and ATV users have caused erosion and damage to grassed areas, fencing and gates on [the neighbour’s] property. Damage to the landfill hill and side slopes of county property has also occurred.
“This presents a risk of leachate escaping the waste hill; causes erosion and slope stability issues, and results in soil back up in drainage channels.”
Ough wrote, “Landfill site fencing has been cut and knocked over on numerous occasions and gates have been damaged.”
He told the committee the Ministry of Environment has regulations that require all waste sites to be fenced and secured in order to protect sites from vandalism and illegal dumping.
He said when the site was closed in 2003 and final grades were done, the original fence was sufficient for security. He explained the county had a number of sites to consider around that time, and “any fencing upgrades only occurred when required. As closed sites have been capped/sealed and graded, chain link fencing has been installed to ministry requirements.”
He said the Erin site was scheduled for upgrades in 2012, but because of the complaints, that was moved up for earlier work.
Fencing took place over a three to four week period, and neighbours were notified in advance.
“The standard chain link fence was reinforced with two cross pieces to two and four foot heights between posts. It was felt that this would make it harder to tear down individual sections and reduce the need to cut the fence as access to dire bikes and ATVs would still be prevented.
“All trees and scrub brush along the property line that interfered with the fence were removed. This material was eventually placed in a hedge row behind the fence to further reduce the desire of trespassers to want to gain access.”
Ough said one resident relayed a number of concerns to area Newspapers and to Erin council and complained about the county not providing notice of the project, preventing access by wildlife, and stopping trail access, leaving debris. and destruction of trees and environmental damage.
He said because the ground is uneven, small wildlife such as rabbits and foxes have easy access under the fences, and the chainlink fence has not deterred deer from being able access or cross other county sites.
The tree and scrub brush was left on the county property and that hedge row “will provide shelter and habitat for small animals and eventually decompose and add nutrients back into the soil.
“This is a beneficial and standard forestry management practise.” Ough wrote.
He concluded the neighbour who had asked for assistance had emailed the town with his satisfaction with the work.
“In future years, solid waste services will be investigating options for habitat enhancement at all waste sites and the potential for further improvements through tree and shrub planting will be considered” Ough said.
McKay told council, “Maybe one day some closed sites would be opened for recreational purposes.
Council unanimously accepted the report.
