Landfill fate now in ministry’s hands
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: July 16, 2009 11:32 AM
All the reports, submissions and responses are in — everything including the trash can under the kitchen sink.
It’s now up to the Ministry of Environment (MOE) to decide the fate of the application by Wastech to use the landfill annex and extend the life of the Cache Creek site by two years.
A ministry official noted staff are actively sorting through all the submissions and information, but wouldn’t set out a timeline for when a ruling might be rendered.
“It’s just a matter of processing all that information to make the decision,” said MOE manager Larry Gardner.
The last day for comment on the application was July 6.
Part of the package includes the recently released third-party report by AMEC Earth and Environment, which found that no leachate toxins were entering the Bonaparte River.
The report also suggested there was no evidence of leachate from the landfill in residential wells, nor was there any indication toxins were being released into the air.
That was in stark contrast to Dr. Michael Easton’s report in March that claimed toxins were leaking into the river and wells.
Easton’s report put a stop to two landfill extension processes until a third-party assessment could verify the data in the report.
With the application in the MOE’s hands, all Wastech can do now is wait.
Russ Black, Wastech’s general manager, said he’s pleased with how the whole process unfolded and is hoping to hear from the province soon.
And he reiterated just how important it is to have the annex approved.
He argued approval will stop the export of waste to the U.S., while allowing the Metro Vancouver solid-waste management planning issue to have due process and not be rushed.
“I think it’s critical for the province of B.C. keeping the jobs in the Interior,” Black said.
The annex, which is seven hectares in size, if approved, will provide time for Wastech to complete the environmental assessment process on its landfill extension application, which is 46 hectares in size.
v2
