The Friends of the Jock River
A non-profit, charitable environmental organization
managed and supported by volunteers in the Jock River watershed
www.geocities.com/jockriver

P.O. Box 764,
 Richmond, ON
 K0A 2Z0

June 25, 2003

Mayor and Councillors
City of Ottawa
110 Laurier St.
Ottawa, ON
K1P 1J1

Dear Mr. Mayor and Councillors:
 
Re: MUNSTER HAMLET WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY -
RE-EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES AND RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONS

The Friends of the Jock River deplores the 11 June 2003 decision by Council to support the city staff recommendation for a forcemain from Munster to Richmond.  In particular, we condemn the actions of Ward 6 Councillor, Janet Stavinga, who was a very active participant in staff's biased presentation against the high-tech on-site options (CMS and Snowfluent) and who, during the council meeting, publicly dismissed the environmental and health concerns raised by local environmental organizations and a significant number of her constituents in Richmond and Munster.

Our organization commends Councillors Rainer Bloess and Wendy Stewart, both of whom spoke and voted against the forcemain alternative at council.  Unfortunately, too few councillors asked the difficult questions and informed themselves of facts beyond the statements contained in the staff report.

While City Council has voted to proceed with the pipe option, I should point out that the issue is not over.  A few of you may already know that Seprotech, the current owner of CMS, has taken the City to court concerning the City’s conduct during the re-evaluation process ordered by the OMB.  The court date is October 2, 2003.  Councillors may wish to inform themselves of the issues that are most likely to come up in the proceedings as these will also be election issues in November.  The issues will likely include: City staff's disregard for appropriate, cheaper, high-tech sewage treatment solutions; the failure of staff and council to maintain appropriate fiscal control over this project; and staff's lack of concern for the environment and the health of City residents.

Sincerely,
 
Brian Finch
President
 
Attachment:  9 June 2003 letter to City of Ottawa council

CC.
Mr. Bill Royds (Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital)
Mr. Ken McRae
Mr. Stan Rosenbaum (Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club)
Mr. Frank Pope (Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club)
Mr. Rob Marler (Ottawa Field Naturalists’ Club)
Mr. David Taylor (Friends of the Tay River Watershed)
Mr. Paul Koch (Ottawa Environmental Advisory Committee)
Ms. Susan Springthorpe (Ottawa Environmental Advisory Committee)
Ms. Andrea Peart (Sierra Club of Canada)
Ms. Maureen Reilly (Sierra Club of Canada)
Mr. Ted Brown (Richmond Village Association)
Mr. Harvey Snyder (Richmond Village Association)
Mr. Dell Hallett (General Manager, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority)
Mr. Jim Poushinsky (Ottawa Citizens Against Pollution by Sewage)