***Original published in South Mountain Press, August 31, 2018***
Heated Discussions over Proposed Waste Management Site
Last week from 22 to 24 Aug, the Four Winds Environmental Management Board held a second round of public information sessions in the communities of Erickson, Newdale, Onanole, and Sandy Lake.
In order to better answer the public’s specific concerns over the waste management site proposal, the board brought in technical experts from Neegan Burnside Ltd., the engineering firm that conducted the feasibility report for the project. The report’s author and Lead Technical Specialist (Landfills), Kent Hunter and Project Manager, Kris Sewgoolam were on hand to answer specific technical questions related to their company’s report and the subsequent proposed waste and recycling site. Mr. Hunter is a Professional Engineer licensed in Manitoba and Ontario with 30 years of landfill project experience.
It seems that for the general population of the area, there is not that much concern over the issue. One of the main stipulations of the process to begin with was that levels of waste service would remain the same or improve. The existing six landfill sites already in use will be converted to transfer stations, so instead of a burn pile and dump pit, area residents will place their trash into portable bins instead.
But there is a significant group of about 50 concerned citizens with specific concerns over the project and in no uncertain terms, they are demanding to be heard.
The one item everyone agrees on is that something needs to be done with the area’s waste. But the main sticking point is the site that has been picked for purchase, located at NW 4-17-20 on PTH 250, is unsuitable due to the proximity of the Little Saskatchewan River valley just over a mile away.
Local residents contend that surface and sub-surface water in that area will carry contaminants into the Little Saskatchewan subsequently affecting downstream communities such as Minnedosa and Rapid City. When asked to address this contentious issue, the Neegan Burnside Ltd. representatives said they were confident that landfill development technology is sufficient to prevent this type of scenario.
As Kent Hunter explained, any issues with sub-surface water being contaminated by waste will be dealt with by a properly constructed leech aid-evaporation lagoon. The waste storage pit will be built with a High-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner, covered with select waste that will prevent puncturing, then it will be continuously tested and monitored throughout the landfill’s lifecycle to ensure that it is not leaking. The HDPE material is at a minimum designed to last for the 30 year projected lifespan of the landfill pit.
As for sudden influxes of surface water from spring run-off or heavy rain storms, Mr. Hunter contends that the design of the facility will keep the clean water separated from any polluted water. Although not required by current regulations, the site will be over-engineered to handle a one in one hundred year flood event.
Another hot topic brought forward was the cost and acquisition process of the site chosen. Lloyd Ewashko, Reeve of Harrison Park RM, declared that he is standing by the decisions that have been made leading up to the purchasing of the $500,000 ¼ section of land. Due to provincial regulations, the process of developing a landfill facility requires that the physical site already needs to be in possession of a RM before the process can move forward.
Another major concern raised dealt with comparisons between the proposed Four Winds site with the Evergreen Environmental Technologies Waste Facility located between Neepawa and Minnedosa. The fear is that although the Four Winds site will be initially run as a Class 2 operation accepting a maximum of 5000 metric tons/year that it will be converted later to a Class 1 operation. Although this scenario was discussed in the Feasibility Study as an option, the engineers did not recommend it and the Four Winds Board members say that sort of proposal is not under consideration.
The Board is confident that their solution for the area’s projected waste requirements of 130,000 metric tons over the next 30 years will be managed with their current proposal and subsequent facility.
Moving forward, the next step for the Four Winds Board, as laid out in an August 7th mail-out to area residents, is the completion of a project business plan. Then by the end of October, after a tendering process, they expect to accept a site design. With completion of an engineering design, environmental licensing can be sought through the Manitoba Sustainable Development department. Monies supplied by Indigenous Services Canada will pay for capital construction costs and operations at the site should begin in the fall of 2019.
A key factor to ensuring the success of the new waste site will be the recycling component. General attitudes and habits regarding garbage and recycling are going to go through an upheaval if the 60% waste diversion rate aimed for by the Four Winds Board is to be realized. For example, the RMs of Harrison Park and Clanwilliam-Erickson have an abysmal 3% diversion rate. Riding Mountain National Park is at the provincial average of 17%.
Surprisingly, the best diversion rates in Canada do not happen in the dense population centers like Toronto or Montreal or out in environmentally conscious BC. In 2017, according to Statistics Canada, PEI led the country in diversion rates. After Halifax implemented their clear bag policy for garbage removal in 2015, in two years waste dropped by 24% and recycling increased by 13%. Small changes of habit and waste policies can reap immediate dividends and the RMs and First Nation Band Councils have been studying other jurisdictions to determine what innovative strategies can be adopted for the region.
The Four Winds Board welcomes the input and level of attention concerning the project that has been received to date. Although aspects of the process can be contentious, waste is a hard fact of life. Federal and provincial regulations and laws governing municipalities and their mandated responsibilities vis-à-vis waste management are steadily becoming more onerous.
For more information about the Four Winds Environmental Management Facility’s progress, contact your Municipal or First Nation offices. Also, keep an eye out online for the soon to be released Four Winds website.
Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.