Phil Dunn from the Ministry of Environment (MOE) sent correspondence to the Development Services Committee for their November 10, 2008 meeting. The summary of the presentation regarding the history of the site, monitoring, and recent visits to the site with Jim Sinclair can be found online at http://www.oshawa.ca/agendas/Development_Services/2008/11-10/DS_08_489_IDOL.pdf. This summary is copied below:
Former Industrial Disposal (Oshawa) Landfill
The Industrial Disposal (Oshawa) Landfill (IDOL) site is located in east section of Lot 3, Concessions 2 and 3, in the City of Oshawa. The landfill site is located in the north half of the property. The site is bounded on the south and east by the Harmony Valley Conservation Area (Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority - CLOCA). The properties to the north and west of the site have been developed for residential use. The site is fenced on the north and west sides of the site. The site is not fenced on the south or east. This permits unauthorized access from residents visiting the Harmony Valley Conservation Area which is adjacent to the east border of the site.
Industrial Disposal sold the site to Philip Services Inc. in 1999. In December 2003 the property was sold again to the current owner Rossland Acres Inc. Mr. Jim Sinclair is an officer of the company.
The original certificate of approval was issued to Industrial Disposal Oshawa Limited to landfill approximately 14 hectares of the north section of the site. Approximately 1,000,000 tonnes of industrial waste was landfilled in the site between 1957 and 1980 over 9 hectares of the site before it closed. The primary sources of waste received at this site were from General Motors operations in Oshawa. The property was used as a former sand and gravel pit.
In 1979, an amended Certificate of Approval was issued to Industrial Disposal and restricted waste types and quantities, included significant changes to the leachate control system, installation of gas control and the submission of a closure plan. Additionally, ground and surface water monitoring requirements were imposed.
The leachate collection tile drains were initially installed along the east and south perimeter of the site. The leachate collection system was discharged into a lagoon located in the southwest corner of the site. The system was connected to the sanitary sewer in 1980. In 1986, the system was extended along the west side of the site.
The gas control system at the site currently consists of six passive gas vents located on top of the site. Historically, landfill gas monitoring has not identified significant potential for off-site impacts.
Buffer zones have been established adjacent to the landfill site property to the north and west. The buffer zones are a requirement of the Plan of Subdivision for adjacent residential areas. The development plans for the residential area to the west of the site require the monitoring of landfill gas and groundwater along the west buffer zone. The City of Oshawa conducted monitoring on the west side of the landfill in 2005. The ministry has not been notified of any concerns regarding groundwater contamination or gas migration from the landfill. The next scheduled monitoring by the City of Oshawa is to occur in 2010.
In 1985 an amended Certificate was issued to formalize the closure of the site and did not contain conditions that required ongoing monitoring of groundwater or surface water.
The most recent assessments of site hydrology, landfill gas, ground and surface water quality are contained in reports from 2001 and 2002 prepared by the adjacent property owner to assess the potential for off-site impacts to proposed residential development. The reports do not identify the potential for significant impacts to residential properties located to the north or west.
The ministry is aware of the onsite iron staining from the seepage in the south section of the site. Ministry staff have met onsite with Mr. Sinclair on several occasions to discuss required work to remediate the seepage and direct it into the onsite perimeter leachate collection system.
The company made repairs to the area of seepage in mid-July 2008. During subsequent inspections by ministry staff iron staining and seepage was again observed.
On October 24, ministry staff again attended the site with Mr. Sinclair and his consultant. A draft Provincial Officers Order was provided to Mr. Sinclair that outlined requirements to repair the seepage and erect fencing to restrict unauthorized access onto the site. The company also committed to prepare a plan for the site that will include ground and surface water monitoring.
The above summary was discussed at this DSC meeting, with a motion carried requesting further investigation and implementation of a more aggressive remedial action plan. Copied below, these can be found on page 14 of the minutes here: http://www.oshawa.ca/agendas/Development_Services/2008/11-10/2008-11-10_Minutes_DSC_22.pdf
DS-08-489 Phil Dunn, Ministry of Environment - Summary of Former Industrial Disposal (Oshawa) Landfill
The Committee reviewed Correspondence DS-08-389 from Phillip Dunn, Ministry of environment, providing a summary of the former Industrial Disposal (Oshawa) Landfill.
The Committee questioned the Commissioner, Development Services.
Moved by Councillor Nicholson,
"1. That a letter be sent to Phillip Dunn and Sandra Thomas, Acting District Supervisor, Ministry of Environment, stating that the City of Oshawa finds the summary regarging the former Industrial Disposal (Oshawa) landfill unacceptable and requests that further investigation be conducted and that a more aggressive remedial plan be implemented to prevent further contamination; and
2. That staff of the Development Services Department continue to monitor the situation and report back when appropriate." CARRIED.
At this meeting, the 'Status of IDOL Investigation' was listed as an Item for Discussion, but such discussion could not be found in the minutes.
The Global News story is already creating a stir!
Jim Sinclair will be sentenced on November 18 for 14 environmental charges relating to a property he owns in Belleville.
Jim Sinclair linked to controversial Oshawa property
Global News in city to hunt down infamous developer
A city developer convicted of thumbing his nose at environmental laws while ripping apart the former Bakelite plant has been connected to a controversial property in the Oshawa area.
The Belleville Intelligencer
Posted by Jeremy Ashley
Updated on October 23
A two-part Global News investigation — the second segment which aired Tuesday night — revealed a decommissioned landfill in Oshawa, just footsteps away from a popular conservation area, is owned by Jim Sinclair.
Earlier this year, Sinclair was convicted on a number of federal and provincial environmental charges for forging ahead with development at the contaminated site of the former resins factory on Dundas Street East — moves that the courts determined led to PCPs and a host of other contaminants seeping into the Bay of Quinte.
In addition, marshlands and other sensitive areas of the 90-acre property were torn apart.
Sinclair, who has since appealed the decision, was ordered to fork over $235,000 in fines. He has yet to be sentenced on the bulk of the other convictions.
Tuesday, a Global news team tried to confront Sinclair after uncovering he owns a 35-acre parcel of land in the heart of Oshawa that accepted industrial waste from General Motors for almost three decades.
But the team, led by reporter Christina Stevens and cameraman Craig Berry, came up empty-handed in their search for the developer.
In addition to visiting several locations in the city Sinclair has been known to frequent, the pair attempted to call him by cellphone while standing at the front gates of the former Bakelite property.
“It’s frustrating, to say the least,” Stevens muttered after approaching the fence line along Dundas street and hollering at a ramshackle house trailer on the site in an attempt to draw Sinclair out.
Despite his vehicle being parked outside his portable home of several years, Sinclair’s six-foot-three figure didn’t appear in the doorway.
“We just want some answers, that’s all,” Stevens added.
Back in Toronto, Global producer Neil McArtney echoed Stevens’ frustration after learning of Sinclair’s no-show.
“We were really hoping that he would be able to shed light on this (Oshawa) property for us.”
Located at the corner of Harmony Road North and Rossland Road East in Oshawa, the site — which is mostly overgrown with brush and grass — is bordered by new residential development and a conservation area.
For years, some residents have been concerned about leachate seeping off the site, despite assurances from the Ministry of Environment that proper testing has shown a minimal environmental impact.
However, in recent months, McArtney, who lives in Oshawa, said there have been renewed calls for an environmental investigation into the “orange goo” that has been seeping off the site and into a nearby creek.
“It was in my own backyard, so I really took an interest to it,” he said.
Over the past year, samples collected privately on behalf of a non-profit environmental watchdog group found contaminants in the water and soil on the site “four to 10 times higher than it should be,” he said.
When he began digging into the story, “I quickly found out the property was owned by a Mr. Jim Sinclair,” McArtney said, “and how this guy has really been in trouble with the environment in your (Belleville) area.”
Reading through past Intelligencer stories about Sinclair’s exploits — and subsequent justice proceedings — brought a new level of significance to the story, he said.
“What concerns me now is ... what’s he going to do with this property? Is he all of a sudden going to come in and start digging it up with tractors like he did in Belleville?
“The whole point of doing this story was to make the residents of this community aware that this is in their back yard. There are serious red flags happening here and people need to be aware of the potential dangers.
“In that sense, I’m not a television producer just doing a story — I’m doing it as a husband and a father who is a part of this community.”
For his part, Sinclair was no where to be seen or heard from throughout the day Tuesday. Repeated calls to his home phone number and business line went unanswered.
October 23, 2008
October 20, 2008
Global News coverage - Oct 20-21
On October 20 and 21, Global News Ontario aired a 2-part Special Report on the Harmony landfill and actions being taken.
I was told by several people that Global showed small clips of the story during regular programs on the channel from October 17-20 (like a 'preview' for the Monday night news), which is awesome!
The newscasts were very impressive, and were available online at http://www.globaltv.com. The title of the first clip was Toxic Landfill; The title of the second clip was Environmental Impact. Unfortunately, they are no longer available online.
I was told by several people that Global showed small clips of the story during regular programs on the channel from October 17-20 (like a 'preview' for the Monday night news), which is awesome!
The newscasts were very impressive, and were available online at http://www.globaltv.com. The title of the first clip was Toxic Landfill; The title of the second clip was Environmental Impact. Unfortunately, they are no longer available online.
October 16, 2008
Landfills, Leachate and Law - A radio show by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper - Oct 16
The Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, a grassroots organization in Toronto working to protect Lake Ontario, have featured the Harmony landfill on their weekly radio show. The show titled Landfills, Leachate and Law: Harmony Landfill and Beyond was released on October 16, 2008.
It is briefly described as:
This week, Mark and Krystyn discuss the hidden dangers of landfills and the runoff that pollutes our drinking water. We also take an in depth look at one Oshawa citizen trying to pull back the layers and expose a favorite dog park for what it really is: a 40-year old landfill.
It begins with a very interesting discussion of the nature of landfills and the involvement of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper with leaching landfills across the province. Towards the end I am interviewed about my work on the Harmony landfill. It ends with a discussion of filing an Application for Investigation - a joint application I have been working on with LOW for the past month or so.
I encourage you to listen. The show is available online as a Podcast at http://waterkeeper.ca/podcasts/2008-10-14-LABLandfills.mp3.
Archived episodes of Living at the Barricades, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's weekly discussion focusing on various environmental issues, are available at http://www.waterkeeper.ca/content/podcasts/index.php.
It is briefly described as:
This week, Mark and Krystyn discuss the hidden dangers of landfills and the runoff that pollutes our drinking water. We also take an in depth look at one Oshawa citizen trying to pull back the layers and expose a favorite dog park for what it really is: a 40-year old landfill.
It begins with a very interesting discussion of the nature of landfills and the involvement of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper with leaching landfills across the province. Towards the end I am interviewed about my work on the Harmony landfill. It ends with a discussion of filing an Application for Investigation - a joint application I have been working on with LOW for the past month or so.
I encourage you to listen. The show is available online as a Podcast at http://waterkeeper.ca/podcasts/2008-10-14-LABLandfills.mp3.
Archived episodes of Living at the Barricades, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's weekly discussion focusing on various environmental issues, are available at http://www.waterkeeper.ca/content/podcasts/index.php.
September 30, 2008
New pictures
It is amazing how much worse the site gets after it rains. Although the red colour has been there pretty well all summer, these pictures (taken today after it rained all morning) show pools of water with an oily sheen on top. Yesterday there were very small areas that looked oily, but no water at all. This area needs to be tested to ensure this oily substance and other materials do not pose a threat.
No feedback from the local or provincial levels to update you on...things seem to be moving very slowly. I am continuing to raise awareness of this landfill and my concerns, but I think there needs to be (a) greater pressure involved in order for action to be taken, and (b) higher government levels involved.
Facing south at the leachate area, overlooking the wetland:
Facing north at the hill towards the wetland, showing the leachate running downhill and the landfill in the background:
A dog's paw print in the rust-coloured soil at the leachate area:
The following pictures show the area where water seems to be flowing from the ground:
Facing east:
Facing west:
The following pictures try to capture the oily sheen on top of the pools of water:
No feedback from the local or provincial levels to update you on...things seem to be moving very slowly. I am continuing to raise awareness of this landfill and my concerns, but I think there needs to be (a) greater pressure involved in order for action to be taken, and (b) higher government levels involved.
Facing south at the leachate area, overlooking the wetland:
Facing north at the hill towards the wetland, showing the leachate running downhill and the landfill in the background:
A dog's paw print in the rust-coloured soil at the leachate area:
The following pictures show the area where water seems to be flowing from the ground:
Facing east:
Facing west:
The following pictures try to capture the oily sheen on top of the pools of water:
September 9, 2008
Development Services Comittee meeting - Sept 8
A Development Services Committee meeting was held on September 8, 2008.
DS-08-363
Update on Investigation into IDOL landfill site (Ward 5)
This matter was previously discussed at the Development Services Committee held on June 9, 2008 when Correspondence DS-08-238 from Sarah Ross concerning leachate at the Harmony Creek Landfill was referred to staff to obtain an update from the MOE and to work with other agencies, including CLOCA, and to report back to Committee.
The Commissioner of Development Services provided Committee with a verbal update concerning the IDOL site advising Committee that the Ministry of the Environment recommends that the site be fenced off. The Commissioner of Development Services advised that a follow-up report will be forthcoming.
The Committee requested that staff advise Sarah Ross of the steps that are being taken.
How has learning about this dump site/leachate affected YOU?
I would like to hear your thoughts - any thoughts - about how hearing about this issue has affected you. The good, the bad and the ugly!
Has learning about the landfill changed the way you view/use Harmony Valley Park and the surrounding area?
Are you concerned about what is inside this industrial waste dump?
Has the discovery of high heavy levels changed your habits? Made you concerned at all?
Should something be done about this site?
Are there questions you want answered?
Please e-mail me at harmonylandfill@gmail.com with any comments or thoughts. Your feedback will remain completely anonymous, and I will not post them on the blog. I am trying to gauge how learning about this landfill has affected how the public feels about the area -- that's you!
DS-08-363
Update on Investigation into IDOL landfill site (Ward 5)
This matter was previously discussed at the Development Services Committee held on June 9, 2008 when Correspondence DS-08-238 from Sarah Ross concerning leachate at the Harmony Creek Landfill was referred to staff to obtain an update from the MOE and to work with other agencies, including CLOCA, and to report back to Committee.
The Commissioner of Development Services provided Committee with a verbal update concerning the IDOL site advising Committee that the Ministry of the Environment recommends that the site be fenced off. The Commissioner of Development Services advised that a follow-up report will be forthcoming.
The Committee requested that staff advise Sarah Ross of the steps that are being taken.
How has learning about this dump site/leachate affected YOU?
I would like to hear your thoughts - any thoughts - about how hearing about this issue has affected you. The good, the bad and the ugly!
Has learning about the landfill changed the way you view/use Harmony Valley Park and the surrounding area?
Are you concerned about what is inside this industrial waste dump?
Has the discovery of high heavy levels changed your habits? Made you concerned at all?
Should something be done about this site?
Are there questions you want answered?
Please e-mail me at harmonylandfill@gmail.com with any comments or thoughts. Your feedback will remain completely anonymous, and I will not post them on the blog. I am trying to gauge how learning about this landfill has affected how the public feels about the area -- that's you!
August 19, 2008
Video Clips
These small video clips, which I took July 27 give an indication of the extent of change to the soil and pools of water that were found. Half a month later, it still looks the same.
The first clip is walking east along the path at the south side of the landfill towards the leachate area, panning around the leachate area.
The second clip shows a close up of the oily sheen on the surface of the water at the leachate location, and the water visibly flowing over the steep cliff to the south, where it flows towards Harmony Creek (and Lake Ontario).
The first clip is walking east along the path at the south side of the landfill towards the leachate area, panning around the leachate area.
The second clip shows a close up of the oily sheen on the surface of the water at the leachate location, and the water visibly flowing over the steep cliff to the south, where it flows towards Harmony Creek (and Lake Ontario).
August 17, 2008
Sample results are in - and do not look good
The following samples were taken at the leachate location during multiple visits and were graciously paid for by the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, a grassroots environmental group in Toronto. The show levels of heavy metals at the landfill in the soil in June and July. (Click on the image for a larger view)
Looking at this data in comparison to provincial and federal water quality guidelines, some of the levels seem very high – I have bolded the contaminants which are over the guidelines and listed in the last column how many times are exceed the limit. For example, Cadmium – a known carcinogen found in some industrial paints and manufacture of some batteries. – exceeds the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life limit of 0.017 ug/L by 88 times.
While the levels of some of these contaminants in water are very concerning, comparing the soil samples has been more difficult and I am currently seeking people knowledgeable in this area to help understand this data. More samples were taken recently at the landfill and following the wetland to the outlet in order to assess whether the wetland (to the south of the landfill) is filtering out these contaminants. Below are some pictures from the most recent sampling I performed.
Now that there is data backing up the threat of this landfill to humans and the environment – and more pending – there is greater evidence to demand action. Government and City officials do not seem to care enough to bother, and it seems a greater profile needs to be raised. It is time to get the community involved, and I am taking steps towards this. Please contact me at harmonylandfill@gmail.com if you know anything about the history of this site or are interested in getting involved in any regard.
Looking at this data in comparison to provincial and federal water quality guidelines, some of the levels seem very high – I have bolded the contaminants which are over the guidelines and listed in the last column how many times are exceed the limit. For example, Cadmium – a known carcinogen found in some industrial paints and manufacture of some batteries. – exceeds the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Life limit of 0.017 ug/L by 88 times.
While the levels of some of these contaminants in water are very concerning, comparing the soil samples has been more difficult and I am currently seeking people knowledgeable in this area to help understand this data. More samples were taken recently at the landfill and following the wetland to the outlet in order to assess whether the wetland (to the south of the landfill) is filtering out these contaminants. Below are some pictures from the most recent sampling I performed.
Now that there is data backing up the threat of this landfill to humans and the environment – and more pending – there is greater evidence to demand action. Government and City officials do not seem to care enough to bother, and it seems a greater profile needs to be raised. It is time to get the community involved, and I am taking steps towards this. Please contact me at harmonylandfill@gmail.com if you know anything about the history of this site or are interested in getting involved in any regard.
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