Introduction

Proponent

Bennett Environmental Incorporated

Location

Town of Kirkland Lake

Type

Waste

Reference number

01058

Contact

Environmental Approvals Branch

Current status

Environmental assessment: withdrawn, November 8, 2002

Project summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to construct a high temperature thermal rotary kiln (incinerator) with an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes of solids contaminated with chlorinated and non-chlorinated organics including PCBs in the Town of Kirkland Lake.

Project history

Environmental assessment: withdrawn
Date submitted: June 21, 2002
Decision date: November 8, 2002

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: November 15, 2000 (amended February 8, 2001)
Expiry of public comment period: December 19, 2000 (amended February 23, 2001)
Decision date: March 30, 2001

Designation: granted
Date submitted: posted May 25, 2000
Expiry of public comment period: June 24, 2000
Decision date: August 25, 2000

Environmental assessment

Bennett Environmental Incorporated (BEI) is a supplier of services for the high temperature treatment of contaminated solid wastes. The company has developed a technology that it uses to thermally treat solid wastes contaminated with non-chlorinated and low concentrations of chlorinated organic compounds including persistent organic pollutants. BEI is proposing to operate its technology in a facility to be built at 233 Archer Drive in the Town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

BEI is seeking approval to construct a high temperature thermal rotary kiln (incinerator) with an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes of solids contaminated with chlorinated and non-chlorinated organics including PCBs in the Town of Kirkland Lake. Bennett formally submitted its environmental assessment (EA) for review and a decision on June 21, 2002. The last date for comments was September 6, 2002.

Because of the number and complexity of issues raised, the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch has extended the deadline to complete the Review to November 15, 2002.

On November 1, 2002, the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch issued a Deficiency Statement under subsection 7(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act because of deficiencies found in Bennett’s environmental assessment.

Deficiencies included: errors and omissions, gaps in data and inconsistencies and discrepancies.

Bennett advised the ministry on November 8, 2002, that it has chosen to withdraw the EA, amend it to address the deficiencies, and will re-submit it for review and a decision.

Upon re-submission, the ministry will complete its technical review and the public will have an opportunity to comment upon the amended EA before a Government Review is published.

Please note, as a result of Bennett’s withdrawal of its EA, the ministry will not be providing responses to submissions received during the public comment period as there is no longer an application before the ministry at this time.

Terms of reference

Background

On April 3, 2000, BEI submitted an Environmental Protection Act application for the proposed Kirkland Lake facility to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for approval. After being advised by MOE of several requests from members of the public for an EA designation, BEI volunteered on May 10, 2000 to have its proposed facility designated and reviewed under the Environmental Assessment Act.

On January 26, 2001, Bennett asked for time to amend the terms of reference (ToR) in response to issues raised by the government review team and the public during the public review period. The ToR was amended and resubmitted in February 2001. It is available in the Offices of Public Record for review. Comments should be received by February 23, 2001.

Description of the proposed undertaking

The proposed undertaking is the construction and operation of BEI's high temperature thermal destruction rotary kiln.

The proposed facility consists of four basic functional components:

  • feedstock receiving, handling, preparation, storage and fugitive control
  • thermal treatment including emission control
  • treated material and residual solids handling
  • water collection and treatment

The thermal treatment process equipment will consist of a rotary kiln primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber (afterburner) and an emission control system. The emission control system will consist of an evaporative gas conditioning chamber, a dry scrubber system, a fabric filter and a continuously monitored emission stack.

The proposed facility will treat up to 50,000 kg/hr of soils, building materials, packaging materials, and miscellaneous items from site remediation projects contaminated with chlorinated and non-chlorinated compounds. A wide variety of organic contaminants are suitable for treatment by thermal oxidation, including pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, wood preservatives, PCB, PCP, PCDF, PAH, PCDD, TCE, coal tars, hydrocarbons and creosote. BEI has committed not to accept liquid PCBs.

Designation

Bennett requested to be designated subject to the Environmental Assessment Act on May 10, 2000. The proposal to designate the proposed undertaking was posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry on May 25, 2000 for public comments. The last day to receive public comments was June 24, 2000. The regulation for designation received Ministerial approval and Cabinet concurrence on August 25, 2000 and was published in the Ontario Gazette on September 9, 2000.