O.Reg 406/19: On-site and Excess Soil Management Regulation Proposals - AMO’s Submission to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Soil reuse must be done with care and be balanced with adequate oversight and enforcement, particularly in relation to large volumes of excess soil, the expanded use of salt-impacted soil, and storage of soil adjacent to waterbodies. [...] We understand that these proposed rules would include maximum timelines for storage; restrictions on the storage of liquid soil; procedures to account for the source, type, and likely quality of received soil; and that exempted facilities would be required to register a notice on the Excess Soil Registry. [...] It is essential that the rules for soil operators and haulers are clear; that the routine monitoring of soil operations is increased; and that strong penalties are in place for violators. [...] Similar to the reuse of salt-impacted soil, the storage of soil adjacent to waterbodies must be done with care and in a way that does not increase liability of municipal Councils under legislation and regulations related to water protection. [...] 4 Executive Summary Exemption of Specified Class 1 and Class 2 Excess Soil Management Operations from a Waste Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) The use of salt-impacted soil should be done with care and in a way that does not increase liability of municipal Councils under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act and other legislation and regulations related to water protection.