50,000 Trees Threatened
Approximately 50,000 trees are currently threatened to be clear cut on the basis of low levels of arsenic which poses minuscule risk to human health, representing major swaths of Port Hope’s tree canopy and urban forested ravines. This will have grave impacts for our local ecosystem, our natural heritage and, importantly, the mental health and wellbeing of our citizens.
The newly-elected Mayor and Council of Port Hope are working co-operatively with CNL/PHAI to protect as many trees as possible on public property by considering each proposed cleanup site for special circumstances and supporting amendment of the clean up criteria for arsenic. The fate of thousands of trees on private property and homeowner disruption would also be affected by PHAI proposals to bring cleanup criteria in line with other projects and the scientific consensus for human health and safety.
Read About the Proposed Criteria Change
Urgent Community Action Steps
We are all for protecting human health! But when scientists and experts tell us that contaminants in our soil DO NOT pose a serious risk, it is irresponsible to move forward with removal of trees at the expense of our health and wellbeing as residents.
FIRST we must engage with Council and urge them to make decisions based on science, to consult with residents, and take appropriate steps to manage the PHAI process to preserve our tree canopy.
SECOND, in the absence of leadership from our elected Council, we must raise our voices as citizens and let the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission know that we support the proposed changes to the PHAI's criteria for arsenic to align with science.
