Introduction

Proponent

Walker Environmental Group Inc.

Location

Zorra Township

Type

Waste management

Reference number

11143

Contact

Andrew Evers, Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-7213
Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current status

Terms of reference – amendment: approved, March 17, 2016

Project summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to provide future landfill capacity at the Carmeuse Lime (Canada) Beachville Operations for solid, non-hazardous waste generated in the Province of Ontario.

Project history

Terms of reference – amendment: approved
Date submitted: April 3, 2014; May 26, 2014
Expiry of public comment period: May 20, 2014
Decision date: March 17, 2016

Terms of reference: submitted
Date submitted: August 30, 2013
Expiry of public comment period: October 30, 2013

Terms of reference

Walker Environmental Group Inc. (WEG) submitted an Amended Terms of Reference to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on May 26, 2014. The proposed amendments were developed by WEG in response to comments received following the formal submission of the Terms of Reference on August 30, 2013.

The ToR was approved by the Minister with amendments on March 17, 2016. The approved ToR will serve as a framework for carrying out public consultation, preparing, and reviewing of the EA for the proposed undertaking in accordance with the EAA.

Amendments

The ToR has been amended to make it clear that WEG must be able to show that the proposed site, and all potential environmental impacts of the proposed undertaking are clearly understood. This information will be required before the ministry will be able to make a determination about whether the proposed undertaking would be consistent with the purpose of the EAA, in particular the protection, conservation and wise management of the environment.

The ToR has been amended to address outstanding issues and concerns related to characterizing regional air quality, groundwater and surface water, and assessing impacts to human health. The Minister’s amendments also require Walker to consult with the ministry’s technical reviewers as well as the public, Aboriginal communities, interested stakeholders, municipalities and government reviewers as it plans its detailed technical studies. Walker will also be required to complete a cumulative effects assessment, as well as consider alternative methods to source separation at the landfill site, or by other methods, for materials that may have other end uses outside of landfilling.

Alternatives to the proposed undertaking

WEG identified and considered a number of alternatives to the proposed undertaking. The following alternatives were considered:

  1. Do Nothing
  2. Further Waste Diversion
  3. Incineration/Thermal Technologies
  4. Other Sites

As result of WEG's deliberations and research, WEG concluded that there are no feasible alternatives to the propose landfill at the Carmeuse Beachville Operations in Oxford County that can reasonably be considered by WEG in this EA. However, the 'do nothing' alternative is proposed to be carried forward in the EA as the baseline to the assessment of the proposed undertaking.

Alternative methods for carrying out the proposed undertaking

WEG identified the following range of alternative methods for carrying out the proposed undertaking:

  1. Landfill Footprint
  2. Landfill Design Alternatives
  3. Leachate Treatment Facilities
  4. Landfill Gas Utilization Alternatives
  5. Haul Routes/Site Entrance Alternatives

A comparative evaluation methodology is proposed for the assessment of the alternative methods. The preferred alternative method will be identified as result of this assessment.