Introduction

Proponent

Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone

Location

Municipality of Greenstone

Type

Waste management

Reference Number

13008

Contact

Wesley Wright, Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-325-5500
Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current Status

Terms of reference: approved, March 25, 2014

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to review alternative options for municipal solid waste management within the Municipality.

Project History

  • Terms of reference: approved
    • Date submitted: November 13, 2013
    • Expiry of public comment period: December 13, 2013
    • Decision date: March 25, 2014

Terms of Reference

A terms of reference (ToR) for the proposed Municipality of Greenstone landfill environmental assessment has been submitted by the Municipality of Greenstone (Municipality) to the Ministry of the Environment for review and decision under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA).

Purpose of the proposed undertaking

The Municipality has initiated this study to review alternative options for municipal solid waste management within the Municipality. The need for the study is as a result of the closure of several rural Ministry of Natural Resources-owned landfill sites and the limited remaining lifespan of the existing Geraldton Ward landfill site (which could reach capacity by March 2014).

Alternatives to the proposed undertaking

 The Municipality identified and considered a number of alternatives to the proposed undertaking. The following alternatives will be considered:

  • Alternative 1 - thermal processing/incineration
  • Alternative 2 - biological processing
  • Alternative 3 - landfill expansion
  • Alternative 4 - waste diversion and waste re-use
  • Alternative 5 - new landfill
  • Alternative 6 - export of waste
  • Alternative 7 - do nothing

Alternatives to the proposed undertaking will be assessed using a six-step approach that is outlined in the ToR, which includes an assessment of "alternatives to" based on evaluation criteria relating to the natural, social, cultural, econcomic, and built environments, as well as through the consideration of net environmental effects after potential mitigation measures have been implemented.

Alternative methods for carrying out the proposed undertaking

Once the preferred "alternative to" is selected, alternative sites and other design features will be identified and evaluated based upon: constraint mapping that will be informed by areas that are unsuitable for siting the preferred alternative to the proposed undertaking (e.g., Aboriginal lands, provincially significant natural environments); natural environment and archaeological investigations; and evaluation criteria relating to the natural, social, cultural, econcomic, and built environments.

Interested parties and Aboriginal consultation

The Municipality conducted a consultation program to obtain input from potentially interested parties and Aboriginal communities regarding the proposed undertaking, having provided project-related information and;opportunities to provide comments and concerns related to the development of the ToR. These included the distribution of project notices (commencement, open house, and ToR submission), a Public Consultation Centre in January 2013, distrbution of the draft ToR to review agencies and some Aboriginal communities;in June 2013, as well as correspondence and formal meetings with interested groups and Aboriginal communities.

The proponent will continue to engage the public, Aboriginal communities, government agencies and other interested parties in the EA process. The EA consultation program will continue to include a number of consultation activities including open houses, project notices, meetings with interested individuals/organizations/Aboriginal communities, brief meetings with government agencies, as well as the project website.