KAGAWONG—The proposed agreement between Split Rail Brewery and Billings Township for the brewery to lease space in the township marina building as part of a pilot project, has reached a snag in the process.
“We had a discussion in open council (at a meeting last week) as we had received an email from the proponents (Split Rail) who had been advised in talks with the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) that in order to add additional materials to the holding tank at the marina, we would have to have the system inspected and certified,” explained Billings Councillor Tom Imrie. “We questioned why this is needed because the material that would be going through the tanks would be grey matter clearing the vats (from the brewery). There would certainly be nothing toxic going into the system.”
“It was added materials to the tank and organic waste-hops and malts from the brewery that would go in the tanks and taken off the docks and apparently the MOE felt there might be risks to fish and habitat in the area,” said Councillor Imrie.
Steven Moggy, senior environmental officer of the MOE Sudbury office, told the Recorder “Split Rail Brewery is looking to set up a brewery on Manitoulin Island. The Town of Kagawong has offered to let the company use an existing marina building. The marina building only has a holding tank to service the sewage needs of the facility.”
Mr. Moggy explained “if a brewery were to be established on site, there would be additional loadings to the holding tank. The ministry has informed the town that a ministry approval would be required to ensure the sewage works is properly maintained. The first step in applying for the approval would be for a qualified expert to determine if the existing sewage system would be adequate to support both the marina and the proposed additional loadings from the brewery.”
Mr. Imrie as well as Councillor Sandi Hurcomb both sent emails to Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes and Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha on the issue, prior to the meeting.
Mr. Mantha, when contacted by the Recorder on Tuesday, said, “I talked to (Andrea Smith and Eleanor Charlton of Split Rail) and told them I could push the ministry on this, although I’m limited at this time (until after the provincial election). But I can tell you they do have an interim plan in place relating to MOE requirements.” He will be meeting with Split Rail Brewery officials next week.
“There are a lot of hoops to go through with a project like this,” acknowledged Billings Mayor Austin Hunt, “but they never get solved fast. Loopholes like this could be simple or complicated. They want to know there are no leaks or concerns with what is going through the holding tank. But the materials that would be produced by Split Rail Brewery are not as potent as that which is going through the tanks already.”
Mayor Hunt pointed out township clerk Kathy McDonald is now in the process of getting a cost estimate on the work required by the ministry for council’s consideration.
“My comment at our council meeting was that this is just another example of legislation impeding entrepreneurship and growth,” stated Councillor Imrie. He said initial estimates on the cost to cover the work required by the MOE would be about $7,000. Mr. Imrie also noted, “when the work is done it could take a year for all the results to be provided, so all of this is in limbo.”
“This is a consumable product that would be made by Split Rail Brewery and the materials they are using are natural,” said Councillor Imrie.
“This project is one I’m definitely excited about,” said Mr. Mantha. “The 12 potential jobs that would be created in Kagawong/Billings would be the same as 1,000 new jobs in Toronto. I’ve spoken to Andrea and I’m 100 percent committed to helping them in this venture and looking forward to meeting with them next week. There are a lot of questions I have for them and answers I need to get and I’ve have talked to some of the councillors on this issue. I will do everything I can to make this project go ahead.”
