Introduction

Proponent

Town of Blind River

Location

Blind River

Type

Waste

Reference number

07018

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch

Current status

Terms of reference: approved, July 11, 2008

Project summary

The proposed undertaking is to address the declining capacity at the Town’s landfill site. A municipal waste management plan will ensure that sufficient waste management capacity is available for the Town of Blind River for the next 25 to 40 years.

Project history

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: February 20, 2008
Expiry of public comment period: March 25, 2008
Decision date: July 11, 2008

Terms of reference

Background

Recent studies completed by the Town and inspections conducted by the Ministry of the Environment have identified concerns regarding the operation of and decreasing disposal capacity at the current municipal landfill site. The Town intends to proceed with the preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act to determine a long-term solution for the Town’s waste management needs. The first step in the EA process is the preparation and approval of the terms of reference (ToR).

Landfill capacity has been estimated to be less than 10 years and historical landfilling operations have occurred beyond the current allowable limits. The undertaking will address non-hazardous residential, industrial, commercial and institutional, construction and demolition, biosolid and iron sludge wastes generated within the study area.

The ToR provides an outline of how the alternative methods for waste management will be considered, the process to be used to assess any potential environmental effects, criteria for the selection of a preferred alternative as well as commitments for future monitoring and mitigation plans. The preferred undertaking will be determined during the EA process and in consultation with the public, First Nations, interested stakeholders and government agencies.

Study area

The study area outlined in the ToR coincides with the municipal boundaries (serviced population of approximately 3,500) and it is envisioned that the preferred alternative will address wastes generated within the municipal boundaries only.