Sludge Watch ==> Pelham Ontario - Town tries to bring in bylaw to control sludge berms

[maureen.reilly at sympatico.ca]

Welland Tribune
Welland, Ontario

August 19, 2006


Pelham site alteration bylaw meeting is Tuesday


Pelham residents concerned about major changes can address town councillors 
at a public meeting Tuesday.

The town is considering a site alteration bylaw which, if enacted, could 
prohibit or regulate the dumping of fill, re-moval of topsoil and other 
activities that significantly alter the landscape on private property.

The issue has come to the forefront since a landowner on Church Street began 
building a paper fibre biosolid berm earlier this year.
The town's general committee of council recommended the site- alteration 
bylaw be adopted at its July 17 meeting.

Tuesday's information session is being held to allow residents to ask 
questions of staff about the bylaw, which is based on a model set out by 
Niagara Region.
Similar bylaws have already been adopted in Niagara Falls and 
Niagara-on-the-Lake. Fort Erie and Lincoln had by-laws on the books in the 
1990s.

If adopted, Pelham could fine landowners who violate provisions up to 
$10,000 on a first offence and up to $25,000 for subsequent offences. 
Corporate violators would be subject to fines of $50,000 and $100,000, 
respectively.

The information meeting will not change the land-use regulations. Council 
will consider passage of the bylaw at a later date.

Copies of the proposed bylaw are available at town hall between 8:30 a.m. 
and 4:30 p.m.