Introduction

Proponent

Regional Municipality of Niagara

Location

700 Humberstone Road, Welland

Type

Waste

Reference number

12022

Contact

Sasha McLeod, Environmental Approvals Branch, 416-314-8214
Toll-free 1-800-461-6290

Current status

Environmental assessment: approved, April 12, 2016

Project summary

The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to provide additional disposal capacity for solid non-hazardous waste to the southern part of the Niagara Region by expanding the Humberstone Landfill, in order to meet residual waste disposal needs of south Niagara for a period of approximately 25 years or more.

Project history

Environmental assessment: approved
Date submitted: June 5, 2015
Expiry of public comment period: July 24, 2015
Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review: October 16, 2015
Decision date: April 12, 2016

Terms of reference: approved
Date submitted: May 17, 2013
Expiry of public comment period: June 18, 2013
Decision date: November 7, 2013

Environmental assessment

The Regional Municipality of Niagara (proponent) has undertaken an environmental assessment (EA) and is seeking approval for the vertical expansion of the Humberstone Landfill, located in the City of Welland, Niagara Region, Ontario. The purpose of the undertaking is to provide additional disposal capacity of 2,400,000 cubic metres to allow continued operation of the site for approximately 25 years. The proponent focused its EA on expanding the landfill vertically as per the approved Terms of Reference. The proponent evaluated alternative methods of vertically expanding the landfill, and alternative methods of treating the leachate collected by the existing leachate capture system. The preferred alternative method of vertically expanding the landfill site and the preferred alternative method of leachate treatment have been identified in the EA.

The preferred alternative method of vertical expansion for the landfill site would involve a uniform increase of six (6) metres from the current height of the disposal area across the central and eastern portions of the existing fill area, and an increase of sixteen (16) metres from the current height of the disposal area to create a peak in the western portion of the existing fill area. The proponent will continue to use the Welland Wastewater Treatment Plant located five kilometres from the site to treat the leachate generated using an existing sewer connection.

The ministry review of the EA was published on September 11, 2015 and made available for a 5-week public, Aboriginal and government agency comment period, which ended on October 16, 2015.

After taking into consideration the EA, the ministry review, comments received and the proponent’s responses, the Minister has approved the undertaking with conditions on April 12, 2016. The proponent may now proceed with implementing the project, subject to obtaining any other required permits and approvals.

Terms of reference

The proposed terms of reference (ToR) for the landfill expansion was submitted to the Minister of the Environment on May 17, 2013 for approval in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The proposed ToR was prepared in accordance with subsection 6(2)(c) and 6.1(3) of the EAA, which allows the proponent to "focus" the EA and consider project alternatives to address their specific needs and circumstances.

Alternatives to the undertaking

Niagara Region identified a number of potential alternatives to fulfill the purpose of the proposed undertaking. The alternatives identified and considered were:

  1. Alternative 1 – Do nothing
  2. Alternative 2 – Construct and operate an alternative disposal technology
  3. Alternative 3 – Expand the Humberstone Landfill
  4. Alternative 4 – Establish a new landfill

An assessment of the four alternatives was undertaken to confirm their feasibility with respect to addressing the need/rationale established. As a result of this evaluation, Alternative 3 – Expand the Humberstone Landfill, has been identified as the preferred alternative. This preferred alternative will meet the need for additional disposal capacity for south Niagara. On November 7, 2013, the Minister approved Niagara Region’s ToR for the proposed Humberstone Landfill Expansion project.