Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Recognizes Transportation Ministry for Award

The staff at the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) received the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario’s (ECO) 2011 Recognition Award for using bioretention cells and rubber modified asphalt in a car lot project in Beamsville, Ontario. The project was recognized for its benefits on waste diversion and storm water management.

"This is the second year in a row that MTO received this award," said Gord Miller, environmental commissioner of Ontario. "The ministry provided a good example for municipalities, agencies and the public sector for use in future road planning and construction. I look forward to seeing more such innovative efforts to conserve our environment from other ministries."

Bioretention cells mimic the natural hydrologic cycle. They infiltrate, filter, evaporate and detain sediments that flow from runoff in the parking lot while treating pollution at its source. Approximately 4,000 cu meters of storm water runoff is filtered through the system each year.

The ECO’s Recognition Award acknowledges ministries that best meet the goals of the 1993 Environmental Bill of Rights. In 2011, five ministries submitted 15 projects for consideration.