GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS:
EBR and Other Notices for Review

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Response of WEAO to EBR 010-9940 Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010 (PDF)

Two Decision Notices, follow up to the EBR 010-8989 and 010-8986 (Issued July 7, 2010)

Response of WEAO to proposed Federal Fisheries Act regulation (PDF)

 EBR: Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010
On May 18, 2010, Bill 72 (The Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act, 2010) was introduced and received first reading. If passed by the Legislature, the act would establish a framework to drive innovation, create economic opportunities, sustain water infrastructure and conserve Ontario’s water. It would lay the foundation for new Ontario jobs and make our province a North American leader in the development and sale of new technologies and services for water conservation and treatment.
Link to the EBR

Environment Canada and Ministry of the Environment presentations on the Municipal Wastewater Effluent (WEAO Conference, London, April 20, 2010)

Comments on the proposed federal regulation are being collected by the Government Affairs Committee (Attention Catherine.Jefferson@weao.org) for development of a WEAO response. Comments should be submitted no later than May 10th to provide for inclusion in the response and approval by the WEAO committee.

Environment Canada Presentation (PDF)

Ontario Ministry of the Environment Presentation (PDF)

 EBR: Extension of the 2007 Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA)
Link to the EBR

 Source Protection Plans Regulatory Proposal – EBR posting notification
Regulatory components to support the development and implementation of source protection plans under the Clean Water Act, 2006

 An Update of Ontario’s Compost Guideline and Regulatory Framework
Please feel free to make comments on behalf of your own organization. However, if you would care to share them with the Residuals and Biosolids Committee for their consideration when compiling comments for WEAO, please forward them to Catherine.jefferson@weao.org. We will make sure they are directed accordingly. Since the notice posts January 23, 2010 for comments, please ensure your comments are sent to Catherine by January 9 to ensure there is time for incorporation into the WEAO response.

EBR Registry Number	Ministry Reference Number	Title or Proponent	Type	Published Date
010-6658	WMPB052009	An Update of Ontario’s Compost Guideline and Regulatory Framework (Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990) (Nutrient Management Act, 2002)	Regulation Proposal	November 24, 2009

 Information Notice and Regulation Decision EBRs:

EBR Registry Number	Ministry Reference Number	Title or Proponent	Type	Published Date
010-7792	TRU092009	Regulation made under the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009	Information Notice	September 18, 2009
010-6515	WMPB220409	A Regulatory Framework for the Management of Non-Agricultural Source Materials and Regulatory Amendments Concerning Milking Centre Washwater and Anaerobic Digestion (Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990) (Nutrient Management Act, 2002)	Regulation Decision	September 18, 2009

 Toxics Reduction Act, 2009

On April 7, 2009 Bill 167, the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 was introduced for first reading and posted for consultation (Registry Number: 010-6224). On June 3, 2009 the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 was passed by the Ontario Legislature and received Royal Assent on June 5, 2009.

The purposes of the Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 are to prevent pollution and protect human health and the environment by reducing the use and creation of toxic substances, and to inform Ontarians about toxic substances. Details (WebLink)

 Please be advised that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment is proposing to amend the Ministry’s Guideline A-7: ‘Combustion and Air Pollution Control Requirements for New Municipal Waste Incinerators’, now renamed as ‘Air Pollution Control, Design and Operation Guidelines for Municipal Waste Thermal Treatment Facilities’. This document deals with thermal treatment of municipal waste.  Details of the proposal are posted on the environmental registry for a 60-day commenting period on March 13, 2009.

You may access the posting (EBR # 010-5887), including the proposed amended guideline, at:http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTA1Nzkw&statusId=MTU4NTg1&language=en

Please submit your written comments by May 12, 2009 in accordance with the posted notice.

 On behalf of the Ministries of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, I am pleased to share with you our discussion paper:

Healthy Great Lakes, Strong Ontario which has recently been posted on the Environmental Registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca (EBR Number 010-6105). Public comment is invited through the Registry until May 16, 2009.

You are invited to read the discussion paper and provide comments and thoughts on what must be done to ensure the sustainability of the Great Lakes. As our Ministers say in their opening message “We look forward to your input, your ideas and your criticisms in helping ensure the Great Lakes can forever enrich our lives and the lives of those who come after us.”

 Policy decisions have been made for the noted Design Guidelines. Click on the EBR number for details.

EBR Registry Number	Ministry Reference Number	Title or Proponent	Type	Published Date
010-0548	SDB051007B	Design Guidelines for Drinking-Water Systems 2007 (Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002)	Policy Decision	December 19, 2008
010-0547	SDB051007	Design Guidelines for Sewage Works 2007 (Ontario Water Resources Act, R.S.O. 1990)	Policy Decision	December 19, 2008

 The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) posted draft septage treatment guides on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry (EBR #: 010-0366) on September 8, 2008. The three draft guides include:

1.         Guide to Land Application of Treated Domestic Septage

2.         Guide to Alkaline Stabilization of Domestic Septage

3.         Guide to Disposal of Septage in Dewatering Trenches

The EBR posting and these guides can be found at:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTAwMzY3&statusId=MTQ5OTUz&language=en

These guides are intended to provide guidance to septage haulers and proponents.  They will also be used by MOE and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) staff as part of the review process for Certificates of Approval.  The guides address:

•           standards and approvals requirements for the land application of treated domestic septage on agricultural land;

•           process design and operation for the screening and alkaline treatment of domestic septage; and,

•           disposal of septage in dewatering trenches.

Ending the practice of spreading untreated septage requires sufficient capacity to treat septage, either at municipal sewage treatment plants or with viable alternative treatment options.

Standards for treated septage will assist septage haulers and municipalities to evaluate and develop alternative septage treatment options.  MOE received the support of septage haulers through their participation in pilot projects which assisted in the development of these standards and new technologies.

Non-agricultural Source Materials Regulatory Framework

As you may be aware, MOE and OMAFRA are also examining the regulatory framework for the management of non-agricultural source materials (“NASM”). NASM includes municipal sewage biosolids, food processing residuals and other materials containing nutrients that are not generated by an agricultural operation.  A plain language document outlining the proposed revised NASM framework was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for a 120-day comment period which closed January 5, 2008.  The ministry is currently reviewing all comments received during the EBR consultation.

Source Water Protection

You should also be aware that the MOE is finalizing regulations under the Clean Water Act, 2006 that will define activities that will be considered drinking water threats.  The draft regulations and technical rules, posted on the EBR for consultation on June 20, 2008, propose that activities such as septage application in vulnerable areas would be considered a drinking water threat.  The ministry is currently reviewing all comments received during the EBR consultation

Anyone wishing to provide comments should do so by October 15th to me Catherine.jefferson@weao.org.

 Regulation to extend the phase-in dates for some generators and receivers of non-agricultural source materials

The regulation to extend the phase-in dates for some generators and receivers of non-agricultural source materials (NASM) has been posted on the Environmental Registry. Comments will be accepted for a period of 45 days commencing August 5 to September 19th. Please see the link below to the EBR posting:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTAzMzI4&statusId=MTU0Mzgw&language=en

 Environment Canada Proposed Regulatory Framework for Wastewater, Consultation Document, October 2007
CCME Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent, draft September 2007

National Report Wastewater Consultations November 2007 to January 2008 (PDF)
Rapport national Consultations sur les eaux usées Novembre 2007 à janvier 2008 (PDF)
Request Form - Summary of Input (PDF)
Formulaire de Demande: Résumé des commentaires (PDF)

 Comments on the draft National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure can be forwarded to catherine.jefferson@weao.org by June 18th for wrap up for a WEAO response. Please circulate to other interested stakeholders. National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure (PDF 670KB)

 Ministry of Research and Innovation News Release - May 12, 2008

INSPIRING ONTARIO’S NEXT GREAT DISCOVERIES

McGuinty Government Building Opportunities For Future Generations

Details Here

LEARN MORE

Learn more about Ontario’s youth and teacher science and technology outreach programs.

Read about the Youth Science Foundation Canada.

Learn more about cutting-edge science in Ontario.

Contacts:

Perry Blocher Ministry of Research and Innovation 416-326-7717

Kristan Koehle, Minister’s Office, 416-325-8908

 Participation in the Public Enquiry - Draft P 0413-400 Soil Amendments - Alkaline or Dried Municipal Biosolids

National Standard CAN/BNQ 0413-400 Soil Amendments -Alkaline or Dried Municipal Biosolids is currently under review. The review is being conducted in cooperation with producers, users, regulatory authorities and other individuals who have indicated general interest in the subject matter.

The review of this standard has reached the public inquiry stage, during which time the document will be submitted to extensive review in order to arrive at a consensus with respect to his content.

You are invited to take part in this process and provide comments on the document before the closing date of the public enquiry set for June 6, 2008.

The Draft Standard is available on the Bureau de normalisation du Québec Web site at: www.bnq.qc.ca - Public Enquiries. Please, keep in mind that comments must include justifications in order to guide the committee for their decisions.

All those interested to receive a hard copy of the draft standard and the comments form should contact the BNQ by fax at 418 - 652 - 2292 or by email at bnqinfo@bnq.qc.ca.

Please include your contact information and the document number.

 EBR 010-0547: Ontario Ministry of the Environment Design Guidelines - Document released for a 60-day public period. Closing date: May 19, 2008

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has undertaken an initiative to streamline the approval process for new sewage works and reduce corresponding development time.

The current 1984 Design Guidelines for Sewage Works are three documents which provide engineering recommendations for the design of sewage treatment plants, sewage collection and on-site sewage systems (“sewage works”). These documents are the key reference documents for the design and approval of sewage works in Ontario under the Ontario Water Resources Act.

The proposed revised guidelines, Design Guidelines for Sewage Works 2007, include up-to-date engineering design recommendations for sewage works using established technologies applicable to Ontario conditions. The proposed Guidelines clarify the process by which new technologies may be established for full scale application in Ontario. The proposed Guidelines include new and updated information that reflects current Ontario practice, applicable legislation and current ministry policies.

WEAO’s Response (June 16, 2008 - PDF)

 CCME: Municipal Wastewater Effluent National Strategy Development developed by CCME. Closed: January 31, 2008.
Environment Canada has held consultations on the proposed CCME Municipal Wastewater Effluent Strategy and Environment Canada’s proposed regulatory framework as the federal government’s implementation strategy for the CCME strategy. This pdf file is a copy of the results of the consultation sessions. WEAO and CWWA submitted comments on the CCME Strategy to the CCME January 31, 2008. This is now the opportunity to provide comment on EC’s proposed regulatory framework which will include a regulation under the Federal Fisheries Act. Please read:

WEAO’s Response (March 10, 2008 - PDF)

 EBR Notice # 010-2246 : Regulation under the Ontario Water Resources Act for Protection of Lake Simcoe. Closed:  February 4, 2008;

 EBR Notice # 010-1436 : An Improved Regulatory Framework for the Management of Non-agricultural Source Materials (NASM). Closed: January 5, 2008;

WEAO’s Response (January 4, 2008 - PDF)

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