Despite misgivings about over-regulation, there are reasons for rules.
We are thinking specifically about past practices for waste disposal that left a lot to be desired when it came to future generations.
The Love Canal, as an example, will only be known for what it was by about half the population today. Those under 40 years old might think it to be a romantic spot for a boat ride, but it was anything but.
Images of strewn drums of waste chemicals still haunt memories from the early ‘70s, when reporters uncovered an incredible blight left in Upper New York by a company known then as Hooker Chemical.
The extent of the damage did not show up readily. It was after a school and neighbourhood were constructed near the site that illness and reactions to whatever chemicals the site contained came into contact with kids. It was a tragic example of ignorance, whether a purposeful event or not.
Across Wellington County numerous examples exist of hot spots of impropriety, where dumping has taken place.
Many farms have dump sites. Apart from some old tin cans and old furniture, tires and waste chemicals will have found a home in the farm dump.
Until the incident at Love Canal, much of the previous activity was out of sheer ignorance. After all, what’s a bit of spray or oil or old paint going to do? We can hear the excuses. Regrettably, the practice still happens.
Industrial areas currently in towns have their share of issues, as do century-old sites most often converted into a commercial or residential use. Castings and chemical by-products were routinely dumped in the yard or off to a side.
Gas stations are another example with site-specific problems after years of service. In many communities it is only the long-standing locals that can remember many sites.
Now that current generations know better, citizens should stop any practice that harms the natural environment. But the plundering of Mother Earth continues, whether as a function of contemptuous ignorance or the more unscrupulous factor of unfettered greed that seems prevalent with corporate interests that refuse to do the right thing.
To a lesser degree, the same can be said for landowners being a willing host to fill that has not been certified clean.
Proponents seem to like the cash that goes along with filling up the odd low spot on their property. We get that point. However, we think red flags need to wave and sirens need to sound for those accepting unverified fill, and thought should be given to neighbours of such activities.
As has happened in industry, environmental assessments form part of any future purchase and sales agreements. Often that requires special testing and it would be a crying shame to have accepted bad material, for then it is too late and the hauler is long gone.
The unknowns represent a great risk indeed.
