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Continued development in at-risk areas could cripple new sewage plans, leaving us back where we started
Ottawa, ON – September 28, 2009 (http://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca) – Meredith Brown, Ottawa Riverkeeper, issued an official Point of View today, highlighting her concerns over several practices in this region that are raising eyebrows and leaving Ottawa Riverkeeper wondering is this City going green, or seeing green? “I am encouraged by recent announcements made by Environmental Commissioner, Gord Miller, but can’t help but wonder, why is sustainable (low-impact development) not being considered in the City of Ottawa’s plan to reduce combined sewer overflows? If our current infrastructure is failing to meet today’s demands, why is more development being approved?”, writes Brown.
The watchdog group says that the City of Ottawa needs better leadership and foresight to develop responsibly. “We’re at risk of being thrown into a vicious cycle of always being 30 years behind, when it comes to solving our sewage woes. It’s time to look at this problem through a preventative lens, and make changes to the practices and policies that guide development. If the City of Ottawa doesn’t put its “green thinking cap” on and start practicing and enforcing sustainable development, we will continue to repeat the patterns of the past – the time to break the cycle is NOW. Establishing a moratorium on development in known flood and overflow areas is the responsible and prudent course of action”.
In her statement, Meredith Brown identifies the following concerning practices that could cripple future sewage solutions if not promptly addressed:
For more information, please contact:
Natasha Wilson
Director, Public Affairs
Ottawa Riverkeeper
613-321-1120 × 3
613-324-9118
nwilson@ottawariverkeeper.ca
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