Introduction

Proponent

Waste Services (CA) Inc.

Location

3354 Navan Road, Ottawa

Type

Waste

Reference Number

06029

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8001

Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current Status

Environmental assessment: approved, August 2, 2007

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is for the expansion of the existing landfill site located in Notre Dames-des-Champs on Navan Road in the eastern end of the City of Ottawa.

Project History

  • Environmental assessment: approved
    • Date submitted:  May 25, 2007
    • Expiry of public comment period: April 20, 2007
    • Expiry of public comment period for ministry review: June 29, 2007
    • Decision date: August 2, 2007
  • Terms of reference: approved
  • Date submitted:  June 16, 2006
  • Expiry of public comment period:  July 21, 2006
  • Decision date: October 6, 2006
  • Decision date: May 30, 2006
  • Designation: voluntary agreement granted

Environmental Assessment

Proposed Undertaking

Waste Services (CA) Inc. proposed an expansion of its existing landfill site located in Notre Dames-des-Champs on Navan Road in the eastern end of the City of Ottawa. The existing 31.9 hectare landfill footprint will be expanded easterly by 8.5 hectares. The total capacity will increase by an estimated 3.6 million cubic metres of additional waste. The annual waste tonnage accepted at the site will continue to be 234,750 tonnes of waste per year which will extend the life of the landfill by approximately 11 years past its currently estimated closure date of 2011. It is proposed that the site will continue to accept solid non-hazardous Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC & I) waste including construction and demolition waste. The approved area for the receipt of waste for disposal will continue to be the province of Ontario, excluding IC&I waste from the City of Toronto.

Waste diversion will continue at the site related to the recovery of metal for recycling and wood for chipping.

The EA considered five potential expansion alternatives in accordance with the approved Terms of Reference. Alternative 3 was chosen as the preferred alternative.

The comment period on the EA was from March 2, 2007 to April 20, 2007. A Notice of Completion of Review was published on May 25, 2007. A five week comment period on the Review was provided from May 25, 2007 to June 29, 2007. During this time period any person could provide comments about the proposed undertaking, the EA, and the ministry’s Review. The Minister with Cabinet’s concurrence approved the Navan landfill expansion subject to conditions of approval. The Minister imposed conditions of approval that will provide assurance of environmental protection for the surrounding watershed, air quality, the Mer Bleue Bog, and the surrounding community. The ministry is satisfied that the proposed conditions of approval will address any issues and concerns that were raised with the ministry. All comments received during the two public comment periods were considered prior to a decision being made to approve the landfill expansion. Approvals are also required under the Environmental Protection Act, the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Planning Act. Those who provided comments on the EA or the ministry’s Review will receive notice of the Minister’s decision.

Terms of Reference

The Proposal

Waste Services (CA) Inc. (WSI) is proposing to expand their existing landfill site. The current approved footprint for the landfill, processing and composting occupies 31.9 hectares within a total owned property of 90 hectares. The site is licensed to receive solid, non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste (including construction and demolition waste), dry non-putrescible domestic waste, asbestos waste, and impacted soils. A total of 234,750 tonnes of waste is permitted to be received for disposal in the landfill annually. The approved area for receipt of waste for disposal is the Province of Ontario. In addition to accepting waste for disposal, the site undertakes significant diversion activities through recovery of metal for recycling, wood for chipping and composting and leaf and yard waste composting.

The proposed expansion alternatives under consideration would increase the approved capacity of the site by between approximately 3.6 and 5.5 million cubic meters to provide approximately 2.4 to 3.6 million tonnes of additional waste disposal capacity. At the approved annual disposal rate this would provide approximately 10 to 15 years of additional disposal capacity at the landfill, which is expected to reach its currently approved capacity in 2011.

Purpose of the Undertaking

WSI has determined that there is an ongoing demand for its waste disposal services in Ottawa and that it has the opportunity to continue to provide environmentally sound waste management services for disposal of solid, non-hazardous Industrial, Commercial and Institutional as well as Construction and Development wastes. The purpose of the expansion is to address that demand and opportunity.

Approval of the Terms of Reference

As provided for by Section 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the Terms of Reference submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment on June 16, 2006, to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, are hereby approved with the following amendments:

Section 4.4 of the ToR be amended by adding the following:

  • “Mer Bleue Bog
  • The environmental assessment will contain a description of the effects that will be caused or may be reasonably expected to be caused to the Mer Bleue Bog by each alternative method of carrying out the undertaking.
  • The environmental assessment will contain a description of the measures that will prevent, change, mitigate or remedy the effects that will be caused or may be reasonably expected to be caused to the Mer Bleue Bog by each alternative method of carrying out the undertaking.”

Section 5.3 of the ToR be amended by adding the following:

  • “Aboriginal Consultation" The Aboriginal communities that may be affected by or have an interest in the Navan Landfill Expansion EA, will be provided with sufficient opportunity to participate in the development of the EA.”

Designation (Voluntary Agreement)

Waste Services (CA) Inc. (WSI) is proposing to expand their existing landfill site. The current approved footprint for the landfill, processing and composting occupies 31.9 hectares within a total owned property of 90 hectares. The site is licensed to receive solid, non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste (including construction and demolition waste), dry non-putrescible domestic waste, asbestos waste, and impacted soils. A total of 234,750 tonnes of waste is permitted to be received for disposal in the landfill annually. The approved area for receipt of waste for disposal is the Province of Ontario. In addition to accepting waste for disposal, the site undertakes significant diversion activities through recovery of metal for recycling, wood for chipping and composting, and leaf and yard waste composting.

The proposed expansion alternatives under consideration would increase the approved capacity of the site by between approximately 3.6 and 5.5 million cubic meters to provide approximately 2.4 to 3.6 million tonnes of additional waste disposal capacity. At the approved annual disposal rate this would provide approximately 10 to 15 years of additional disposal capacity at the landfill, which is expected to reach its currently approved capacity in 2011.