Introduction

Proponent

Niagara Waste Systems Limited

Location

City of Niagara Falls, Region of Niagara

Type

Waste

Reference Number

05002

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8001
Toll free 1-800-461-6290

Current Status

Environmental assessment: approved, November 15, 2006

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is for the provision of future waste disposal capacity in the City of Niagara Falls for solid, non-hazardous waste generated in the Province of Ontario.

Project History

  • Environmental assessment: approved
    • Date submitted:  February 17, 2006
    • Expiry of public comment period:  April 7, 2006
    • Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review:  June 23, 2006
    • Decision date: November 15, 2006
  • Terms of reference: approved
  • Date submitted:  July 22, 2004
  • Expiry of public comment period:  August 23, 2004
  • Decision date: September 30, 2004
  • Decision date: June 3, 2004
  • Designation (voluntary agreement): granted

Environmental Assessment

Niagara Waste Systems Limited (a subsidiary of Walker Industries Holdings Limited, hereafter generally referred to as "Walker") submitted an Environmental Assessment (EA) on February 17, 2006 for the provision of future waste disposal capacity in the City of Niagara Falls for solid, non-hazardous waste generated in the Province of Ontario.

The public, applicable government agencies and potentially affected Aboriginal peoples were invited to comment on the EA for a seven-week period, which ended April 7, 2006.

On May 19, 2006, the Ministry of the Environment issued a Notice of Completion of the Government Review for this EA. The 5-week public comment period expired on June 23, 2006, during which time comments about the proposed undertaking, the EA and the ministry Review were made.

On November 15, 2006, Cabinet approved, with conditions, the construction of a new landfill in Walker’s nearly depleted South Quarry (Order in Council No. 2256/2006). In making the decision to approve the undertaking, consideration was given to the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act, the EA, the Government Review of the EA, and public, government agency, and Aboriginal peoples comments.

All those who commented on the EA or the ministry Review will receive notice of the Minister’s decision.

Terms of Reference

The proposed Terms of Reference are submitted by Niagara Waste Systems Limited (a subsidiary of Walker Industries Holdings Limited, hereafter generally referred to as “Walker”) in accordance with Section 6(2)(a) of the Environmental Assessment Act (the “Act”). Walker agreed to have the requirements of the Act apply to its project through an agreement dated June 3, 2004. These proposed Terms of Reference describe a framework for an environmental assessment in accordance with the requirements set out in Section 6.1(2) of the Act.

Since 1887, Walker’s family-owned firm has been contributing to the social and economic development of the City of Niagara Falls, the Regional Municipality of Niagara, and the Province of Ontario. Walker’s corporate philosophy embodies a commitment to “the community, the environment and tomorrow’s generations”, fostered through its EARTH 1st program, the goal of which is to achieve higher environmental performance.

The Walker East Landfill, owned and operated by Niagara Waste Systems Limited, located in the City of Niagara Falls in the Regional Municipality of Niagara, has been in operation since 1982. It has now reached approximately 75% of approved capacity, and will close in about five years. Currently, the East Landfill provides mainly for the disposal of residual (i.e., post-diversion), non-hazardous industrial, commercial and institutional (IC&I) solid wastes from the Niagara Peninsula, and elsewhere in the Province of Ontario, with the single biggest contributor being waste generated in the Regional Municipality of Niagara. The existing IC&I customer base relies on the landfill for the disposal of its residual (post-diversion) non-hazardous wastes. The existence of the Walker landfill has prolonged the life of the Region’s domestic waste landfills, and provided a backup to the Region’s facilities.

Public drop-off, composting, landfill gas energy recovery, haulage and IC&I recycling operations have grown up around, and are dependent upon, the landfill’s proximity and are part of Walker’s integrated waste management system. With replacement disposal capacity, Walker would be able to continue to develop its IC&I waste recycling/diversion business as part of the services it now offers to its clients.

Designation (Voluntary Agreement)

A designation agreement was entered to allow an Environmental Assessment to be prepared by Niagara Waste Systems Limited for the provision of future waste disposal capacity in the City of Niagara Falls, in the Region of Niagara for solid non-hazardous waste generated in the province of Ontario.