If Algoma Public Health carries out its plans, it will take legal action against the owner of the River Valley Park mobile home complex in Aweres Tuesday, May 1.
APH has concerns for the health of the trailer park’s residents because of sewage leaks stemming from the site’s failing sewage system.
“There is no change to our previous position at the current time,” stated Leo Vecchio, APH’s media coordinator, in a Apr. 27 email to SooToday.
River Valley Park’s owner has been in contact with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) regarding a plan to comply with ministry orders to install a new sewage system and clean up the site.
“On Monday, April 16, 2018, ministry staff met with the park's owner Jasbir Dusanjh and two other representatives of the park to discuss the status of the current environmental compliance approval application and the ongoing problems with the park's sewage system,” wrote Gary Wheeler, MOECC spokesperson, in an email to SooToday.
“The parties discussed the park ownership, the current situation, financing and operation of a new sewage system, financial assurance and next steps. The park owner stated that he is not able to move forward on the sewage system described in his environmental compliance approval application and intends to find a new engineering consultant with the goal of designing a system that is less expensive to construct, operate, and maintain,” Wheeler stated.
“Ministry staff are committed to working with the applicants throughout the approvals process to find a solution. The ministry’s focus is on whether or not the proposed sewage system can meet our requirements for environmental protection,” Wheeler wrote.
“It’s accurate to say that concerns have publicly aired about the park. Ministry staff are available to discuss park residents concerns regarding the sewage system,” Wheeler stated.
The park remains open and several longtime residents have been clear about their wish to stay at River Valley stating their reluctance to move away from the mobile home complex.
An information session to address River Valley Park residents concerns, organized by the Algoma Community Legal Clinic and held at the Delta Hotel Aug. 23, 2017, included several service agencies, such as The John Howard Society of Sault Ste. Marie and the United Way, which provided residents with information on housing options should the trailer park be closed.
At that session, District of Sault Ste. Marie Social Services Administration Board (DSSMSSAB) officials told residents they would be assisted if they are displaced by the park’s closure and need housing in Sault Ste. Marie.
Those in need of housing would have to fill out an application for DSSMSSAB to review, and, while waiting, some may have to go to shelters such as St. Vincent Place or Pauline’s Place.
An order by APH issued June 8, 2017 to fix the sewage system was among a series of work orders issued to the park ownership, the first in April 2016, another in February 2017, then again in June 2017.
In addition, Ontario’s MOECC has been dealing with the park’s ownership for three years.