Introduction

Proponent

Clean Harbors Canada Incorporated

Location

4090 Telfer Road, St. Clair Township

Type

Waste management

Reference number

09001

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch

Current status

Environmental assessment: approved, July 22, 2015

Project summary

The purpose of the project is to provide an additional 4.5 to 5.0 million cubic metres of space to the exsting landfill to extend its projected lifespan by approximately 25 years.

Project history

Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: October 17, 2014
Expiry of public comment period: December 5, 2014
Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review: March 6, 2015
Decision date: July 22, 2015

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: October 9, 2009; July 8, 2010 (amendment)
Expiry of public comment period: November 8, 2009
Decision date: December 20, 2010

Environmental assessment

Clean Harbors Canada, Incorporated (Clean Harbors) has completed the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Clean Harbors Lambton Landfill Expansion. As required under section 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act and according to the Terms of Reference approved by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change on December 20, 2010, Clean Harbors submitted its Environmental Assessment on October 17, 2014 to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for review and decision.

The Lambton facility is the only approved commercial hazardous waste disposal facility in Ontario. The Lambton facility includes several components: the landfill, a laboratory for waste testing and analysis, pre-treatment plants, and an incinerator. The purpose of the undertaking is to provide Clean Harbors with 4.5 million to 5.0 million cubic metres of additional landfill capacity to manage its hazardous waste for the next 25 years.

The proposed undertaking consists of a vertical expansion over the previously approved and landfilled areas of the existing landfill site, to a maximum height of approximately 9 metres above the ground surface, and would be limited to the height of the existing earth berms along the perimeter of the landfill.

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change completed its review of the Environmental Assessment on January 30, 2015. On July 22, 2015, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, with concurrence from the Lieutenant Governor in Council, gave approval to proceed with the undertaking, subject to conditions.

Terms of reference

The Lambton landfill is owned and operated by Clean Harbors under Ministry of the Environment (MOE) Certificate of Approval #A031806. The landfill is permitted to accept a wide range of hazardous wastes excluding explosives, PCBs, radioactive and pathological wastes. Based upon the historical and forecasted filling rate at the landfill, it is estimated that the Lambton landfill will reach its currently approved disposal capacity by approximately the end of 2012.

As part of the proposed Lambton Landfill Expansion Environmental Assessment (EA), Clean Harbors submitted a Terms of Reference (ToR) to MOE for formal review and approval as required under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The ToR was prepared pursuant to subsection 6(2)(c) and 6.1(3) of the EAA, which enable proponents to focus the environmental assessment and consideration of alternatives to address their specific needs and circumstances. The ToR provides the framework for the preparation and review of the EA for the proposed undertaking.

The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to provide landfill disposal capacity for hazardous waste. The selected alternative is intended to provide adequate disposal capacity for hazardous waste designated for landfill disposal over the 25 year planning period. Clean Harbors has identified the need for approximately 4.5 million to 5.0 million cubic metres of landfill capacity to manage waste at the Lambton landfill over the 25 year study period.

Long-term secure landfill disposal remains a critical component of Clean Harbors’ ability to meet generators requirements for management of hazardous waste.

The existing approved landfill operation, including all historical fill areas, has a footprint of 56 hectares out of the entire 121 hectare licensed property. It is proposed that the EA consider two alternative options to expand the approved capacity of the site. As part of the ToR, proposed study areas were identified, including the lands currently considered part of the site, as well as potentially affected surrounding areas. The EA process will include confirmation of appropriate study areas specific to each environmental component based on the predicted spatial extent of the anticipated effects (e.g. noise, air quality and visual effects).

The EA process will include consultation with the following groups at key points throughout the study including:

  • Various governmental departments, ministries and agencies with an interest in the project;
  • General public which includes residents, landowners and businesses and other stakeholders having an interest in the outcome of the EA; and
  • Aboriginal communities in the vicinity of the study area or with an interest in the project.

Opportunities for stakeholders to provide input during the EA process may include:

  • Meetings with municipal councils, community interest groups and local land owners;
  • Public Open Houses;
  • Project website;
  • EA hotline and contact person.

Aboriginal communities in the vicinity were contacted as part of preparing the ToR. Clean Harbors will continue to provide specific consultation activities at the request of Aboriginal communities.

The public review period for the ToR ran from October 9, 2009 to November 8, 2009. The ToR was available at Ministry of the Environment offices, municipal offices, First Nations offices and public libraries for review as well as on the project website.

Approval

In response to input received during the comment period, Clean Harbors undertook additional consultation with the local municipality, Aboriginal communities and other stakeholders. Clean Harbors then submitted an amended ToR to the MOE for approval on July 8, 2010. Amendments to the ToR included: additional information on how alternatives to the undertaking were considered; clarification on how the study areas will be determined; additional information on the evaluation methods to be used; a commitment to address cumulative effects; additional detail on the monitoring strategy to be developed; specific commitments to consult with interested parties throughout the EA process; as well as other minor amendments.

On December 20, 2010, the Minister of the Environment approved the ToR, as amended, for the above-noted undertaking.