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<DIV>Hi GREN-</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Sorry these minutes are late in coming. Busy time!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cheers,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Susan B. </DIV>
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<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">GREN Minutes April 13, 2017</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" align=center><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Christian Science Church,
Kitchener</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">GREN Membership Money due</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">! <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>$20.00 – Theo N.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Greenbelt Report</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">—Kevin S.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Re: Push to expand greenbelt to
Waterloo Region. Kevin noted that after January, we’re into election season, so
pressure needs to be on before. Developers are saying house prices are so high
because of the greenbelt! Actually, we have lots of land approved for building
but developers aren't building. They're sitting on the land. Gov't and media are
seeing this and blaming developers for skyrocketing house prices.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The greenbelt has been on the
Premier's tongue often lately. (Will it buy them votes?) Polls show big support
for greenbelt. The best we can do is keep pressure on our local MPPs, and maybe
it will become a campaign issue. So call/write your MPPs and make a pitch for
extending the greenbelt to Waterloo Region. Kevin will send an email with what
we can do---who to write to. {See his email of April 25.) He also has lawn
posters that say "Save our Water"--signed by www.greenbelt--now available for
pick-up on John Jackson’s front porch at 17 Major St., Kitchener.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Greg noted a problem with the
greenbelt is “leapfrogging.” Toronto development depends on North. Dumfries for
aggregate, and it now has the largest number of gravel pits in country.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Kevin says the solution is to
thicken the greenbelt to make leapfrogging much harder. Gov't can approve it in
cabinet and doesn't need consultation. The Federation of Agriculture very
supportive, wanting all of S. Ontario greenbelted. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Reform of aggregate legislation is
happening.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Region thinks its protection in
relation to aggregates and other protections is stronger than that of greenbelt,
and some argue that we don't need greenbelt here. Others on Regional council
want the greenbelt here for more permanent protection. Kevin says the Act says
that the stronger protections apply. </FONT><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Lulu noted that threat to Great
Lakes from Trump might help us argue for greenbelt to protect
water.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Hidden Valley</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">---Deaune</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The GREN Hidden Valley group has
met. The Hidden Valley Art show, a juried show, will happen in fall.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Studies of the area by the Region
will go on for 2 years before Region does anything. There’s a cornfield there
that we'd like repurposed—maybe get can Region to buy it. We need to find a way
to make our priorities theirs, and the Hidden Valley group is now strategizing
about how to do it. Gord has a plan. Next meeting is in May. Craig Campbell, a
great amateur naturalist who did work in Hidden Valley, has recently donated his
work to the Region archives. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Deb-when a developer owns property
such as Hidden Valley, he can do whatever. How can we influence that? We need to
put together a compelling deal for him---a land swap? Name on something? We
could put together grant applications for municipalities.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Municipal Garbage</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> ---John J.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">John noted that textiles go to the
dump, making up 5% of the waste stream. Attention is only now being paid to
options for recycling. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of his
teaching assistants has done extensive research on textiles and is willing to
talk to GREN to help us explore what we can do here about it. John will try to
get her for the next meeting.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">John noted that Waterloo Region is
behind other municipalities in rates of diversion from residential waste, with
51% here (2014) compared to comparable municipalities, which are in the high
50s. </FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Recyclables are at 48.1%
province-wide---and 39.6% in Waterloo Region. The poor showing is an opportunity
for GREN to raise waste issues with the Region. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Biosolids--</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> Bob B.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The Region is currently doing lots
of consultation on how to manage biosolids (sewage sludge) in the future. Do we
want Region to make presentation to us about their plans and options to deal
with it? </FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><FONT face=Helvetica><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Radioactive Waste</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN
lang=EN-US><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">---John J.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The Bruce/Kincardine proposal is to
put it 3/4 km below ground within 1 km of Lake Huron. They describe it as "low
to mid-level waste," but mid-level is highly radioactive and lasts forever. The
only nuclear waste not included is waste from the core or reactor.
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The gov't sent back the first
enviro assessment, as it didn’t look at alternative sites or do a cumulative
impacts study. The company did a second assessment that was no better, stating
there are no impacts. Now the Minister and the Board are repeating the same
questions to them. The nuclear industry doesn't think it needs to obey rules,
and the gov't has a conflict. Nuclear is a big part of climate change plans--so
it must have ways of disposing of the waste. There’s pressure to approve
something. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">At Chalk River, they’re
experimenting with how to shut down the plant. Entombment is an option, which
means cover up everything. At Blind River, they’re planning on building a <SPAN
class=msoIns><INS style="datetime: 2017-05-03t10:29"
cite="mailto:John%20Jackson"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
color=#008080> </FONT></SPAN></INS></SPAN>landfill for radioactive waste.
John is involved with citizens groups on these issues. </FONT><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">
</FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Miscellaneous Updates</FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Greg G. reported that there will be
<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">marches for science</B> in U.S. and
Canada (TO and Buffalo are closest) on April 22, and there might be one in
Waterloo Park. Also a <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">climate change
march</B> on April 29, with closest in TO. We could put our name on the list of
sponsors for science march in Buffalo. Greg will check into
it.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Greg is the GREN appointee to the
rare land trust committee. Meetings are monthly, with an interesting group and
work. He also noted that the U. of Rochester has done some genetic modification
on chestnut seeds to create a hardy </FONT><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">American
Chestnut.</FONT></B></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">John reported that the <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Brant citizens group lost its appeal</B>,
supported by CELA, before the Environmental Review Board. It is concerned about
the opening of a gravel pit outside Paris. The big issue was that the company
wants a washing pit. Citizens were arguing against it based on atrazine in the
soil. The citizens had an excellent expert toxicologist. The decision time was
very quick--a month. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Don noted a <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">conference on free transit for people
living in poverty</B> will take place on Sat. June 3, 2-4, at Historic St.
Paul's Lutheran Church, near the Charles St. terminal. There’s room for another
person from GREN. Email him by May 16 if you’re interested, at
jandonrob@gmail.com</FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"><FONT
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Lulu noted that a <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Blue Dot Rally for a federal environmental
bill of rights</B> will take place at Kitchener City Hall on June 4. Also, that
Jeff Rubens, an enviro economist, is being brought to Waterloo by Divest
Waterloo. </FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=Body style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN lang=EN-US><FONT
face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Deaune expressed concerns about <B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">tree removal and erosion in Bechtel
Park</B>--into Laurel Creek. She was advised to talk to the ward councillor and
head of parks for the city.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></P>
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