A press conference has been called by Water Wells First at the Civic Centre in downtown Chatham on Wednesday morning. And despite receiving an invitation by the group, the Mayor of Chatham-Kent will not be in attendance.
“Please join us outside and add your voice to ours for calling for a proper and full investigation by the (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change) into the aquifer contamination occurring in North Chatham-Kent,” Kevin Jakubec, spokesperson for Water Wells First, said in an email to Mayor Randy Hope.
“Water Wells First is calling for a Public Inquiry. We want to hold the MOECC accountable. The MOECC is obligated under the Ontario Environmental Protection Act to investigate contamination of the Natural Environment. Our groundwater is part of the Natural Environment. Will the municipality join it’s constituents in getting to the truth of why wells are turning black with sediments, sediments found to contain Kettle Point Black Shale particles Mayor Hope will you join us in protecting our Water Security?”
Chatham-Kent officials said the mayor’s office received an email request on Tuesday afternoon to participate in an impromptu ‘press conference’ to be held by Water Wells First on Wednesday morning.
Municipla officials said although Mayor Randy Hope will not be able to accept the invitation, a statement has been made in order to once again provide the municipality’s position on the matter.
“The Municipality of Chatham-Kent continues to be at the very forefront of addressing concerns of water quality for residents throughout the municipality,” Mayor Hope said in a statement.
“I have, with the full support of council and administration, consistently supported our citizens. As recently as April, I wrote to Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Environment and Climate Change notifying him of local concerns and asking that the province use its technical and legislative power to ensure all necessary steps are being taken to ensure water quality would not be compromised.”
Hope said that although the municipality doesn’t have the power to approve or prohibit the construction of turbines, it has consistently acted as an advocate for residents.
Municipal officials said on August 22 of last year, council instructed its Chief Legal Officer John Norton to participate in the Environmental Review Tribunal hearing and to “take all steps necessary” to protect Chatham-Kent citizens.
“We received party standing and were prepared to be full participants in an Environmental Review Tribunal last fall but the hearing was cancelled after (Water Wells First spokesman) Kevin Jakubec reached a settlement with the wind farm developers and ministry,” Hope said.
Hope added despite repeated requests from the Municipality, Water Wells First has yet to provide any scientific evidence which links water quality to wind farm development.
“We see jars of water with sediment but there has been nothing brought to the municipality that indicates there is any connection,” Hope said.
“If there is any evidence, the group needs to bring it forward to authorities.”
North Kent Wind, as part of its Renewable Energy Approval and with the guidance and approval of the MOECC, has been conducting water well testing for local well owners. Municipal officials said.
Otter Creek Wind has also, voluntarily, agreed to conduct water well testing for local well owners.
The long-awaited meeting between Water Wells First and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) did not go well last week, according to the local grassroots group.
Read about the meeting held in Windsor, here.
