The public feedback about Wallaceburg’s water is set to be reviewed and considered next week.
The Chatham-Kent PUC and Stantec Consulting will be discussing the various comment forms and questions received about the Wallaceburg and Area Water Supply System Municipal Class Environmental Assessment.
“From what I understand, Stantec Consulting has received some comment forms and they are putting that together in a package for us to take a look at next week,” said Rob Bernardi, facilities and systems manager for the Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission.
He said he did have a number on how much feedback was received.
Bernardi added the PUC is still accepting questions and comments from the public about Wallaceburg’s water.
“That date (Dec. 12) was not a drop dead date, so if there are people that still have comments in regards to this project, we will continue to accept comments or questions,” he said. “The sooner we get those comments from the public, the better it is for us in order for us to keep on track with our project schedule. We will take a look at those comments and take those comments into consideration.”
Bernardi said all the public comments will be included in the final report from Stantec.
“Part of our mandated rules for Class Environmental Assessments is to have public consultation,” Bernardi said. “That is what we’ve done with the public information centres that we’ve had. Along with that, we’ve also asked the public to submit comment if they have any comments or questions. We read those and take a look at those to see if there is something that we can use in those comments that people have.”
Bernardi added: “Yes, Stantec Consulting has done the technical and environmental reviews, but maybe there is something that is overlooked. So we have to take into consideration the public’s comments.”
Bernardi said there is a possibility that information from the feedback could alter the preferred recommendation from the consultants.
“Yes, because we do have to take into consideration the public comments,” Bernardi said. “So, it is not that they’re not looked at or forgotten. They do become part of the report as well. All the comments will be inserted into an appendices of the environmental study report. They will be put on public display as well.”
Bernardi said public feedback has played a role in the outcome of past EAs that the Chatham-Kent PUC has taken part of.
“It is depending on some of the points that are raised, it has happened,” he said.
Bernardi added feedback will be accepted until the final report is put on display for the public.
He said no dates have been set for the final public consultation meeting.
Contact one of these two individuals with your comments:
Andrew Galloway
Engineering Technologist, Water/Wastewater
Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission
Tel: 519-436-0119 ext. 313
Email: andrewga@chatham-kent.ca
or
Michele Oxlade
Environmental Coordinator
Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Tel: 519-675-6652
Email: michele.oxlade@stantec.com
