26/27 do-nothing option is a win-win solution

Editor:

On Dec. 28, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks formally notified Clearview Township that Sideroad 26/27 (26/27) is now classified as a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) undertaking, not a Schedule A+ MCEA as originally proposed by Clearview. The reasons given are: change in the purpose and use of the road and the need to realign a watercourse to address erosion and flooding.

If Clearview intends to continue with the reconstruction of 26/27, they are now required to consult with the public, consider economic and social issues, and study alternate solutions to document a preferred solution. An Environmental Study Report documenting their rationale, design, and consultation process is to be made available to the public for a period of at least 30 days.

It is not clear how much Clearview has spent on the project, but it is believed to be around $10.2 million to upgrade former County Road 91 (91) and a section of Concession Road 10, yet to be complete. To this amount must be added the cost of reconstructing 26/27, said to be over $4 million. As a result, Clearview needs to find additional funds if they intend to proceed.

Over 2,000 letters from area residents objecting to the reconstruction of 26/27 and the closing of 91 have been received.

Blue Mountain Watershed Trust (BMWT) believes if alternatives are properly studied, reconstruction of 26/27 will not be the preferred alternative and a less costly and environmentally better solution will be found.

Clearview should carefully consider the “do nothing” alternative if they intend to proceed with a Schedule C MCEA. This option is a potential “win-win” solution for all parties and was presented to Clearview by the BMWT and the Town of the Blue Mountains back in October 2020.

Further with the projected growth in the area, it would be prudent to address the impacts on the inter- county transportation network.

Written by Ruairi Powell-Smith, on behalf of Blue Mountain Watershed Trust