Letter to the Editor:

A number of citizens and some city councilors have expressed concern that the Minnow Lake Community Action Network and Restoration Group have delayed road reconstruction work on Second Avenue.  It is important to note that this delay would not have taken place had there been adherence to recognized guidelines of the provincial Environmental Assessment Act with respect to the magnitude of the project and the possible environmental consequences which the Act defines as any factors related to “air, land and water”, and “the social, economic and cultural conditions that influence the life of humans or a community.”  The fact that the Second Avenue project involved the significant widening of the road way from two to five lanes and the implementation of a signaled intersection would, according to the Act, indicate a level of assessment (Schedule C) that would require a more intensive evaluation including the presentation of alternatives and the suggested mitigation of environmental concerns.

The City recognizes the responsibility of Community Action Networks in “social, environmental and economic areas”.  Responding to this directive the Minnow Lake CAN and Restoration Group, with the support of the Greater Sudbury Watershed Alliance,  expressed concern with respect to the plans for Second Avenue road reconstruction, in particular with regards to the increased untreated surface water runoff from the considerable additional road area, and covered drainage ditches, that would flow into Lake Ramsey already stressed from increased phosphorus and other contaminates, contributing to poorer water quality and the incidence of blue green algae blooms which, again this year, have closed many beaches and could affect our drinking water supply.  Other concerns expressed were related to air quality and resultant health issues with the closer proximity of the widened road way to residential, park and commercial areas and the new signaled intersection.  Safety and social issues were also of concern and expressed to the Ministry of the Environment in a call for a review of the project.

There is no intent to stop the project as the value of improving the road way and intersections involved is recognized.  However it is felt that a more detailed assessment and evaluation is required with options presented for public consideration and final city approval to address the expressed concerns and result in a plan suitable and appropriate, but not necessarily more expensive, for the community as possible.  More information can be obtained on the website www.minnowlake.ca.

John Lindsay, Chair Minnow Lake Community Action Network.