Introduction

Proponent

The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee

Location

Lots 3, 4 & 5, Concession 10 and Part of Lots 4 & 5, Concession 9, Township of Horden

Type

Waste

Reference Number

00089

Contact

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

Current Status

Environmental assessment: approved, December 15, 2010

Project Summary

The purpose of the undertaking is to address the need for a solution to the waste management issue that both the Town of Moosonee and the Moose Cree First Nation are experiencing.

Project History

  • Environmental assessment: approved

    • Date submitted:  October 30, 2009
    • Expiry of public comment period: December 18, 2009
    • Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review: March 26, 2010
    • Decision date: December 15, 2010

  • Terms of reference: approved

    • Date submitted:  September 1, 2000
    • Expiry of public comment period:  October 6, 2000
    • Decision date: July 9, 2001

Environmental Assessment

Background

The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee completed the Moosonee Landfill Expansion EA to address the need for a solution to the waste management issue that both the Town of Moosonee and the Moose Cree First Nation are experiencing. The Corporation of the Town of Moosonee currently owns and operates the existing Moosonee Landfill which services the residents of the Town of Moosonee. This landfill is currently over capacity. The Moose Cree First Nation owns and operates the Moose Factory Island Landfill which services all island residents including members of the Moose Cree First Nation reserve, Local Services Board, Moose Cree First Nation Education Board and the Hospital/Federal Compound. The Moose Factory Island landfill is nearing the end of its design life. Although several alternatives were investigated during the EA process, the preferred alternative is to continue landfilling at the existing Moosonee Landfill by expanding the site vertically. The expanded landfill would accept domestic and commercial waste from both the Town of Moosonee and current users of the Moose Factory Island Landfill.

The EA process involved consultation between several identified stakeholder groups including the Municipal, Provincial and Federal Governments, utilities, transportation services, affected commercial enterprises and members of the general public from the Town of Moosonee and the Moose Cree First Nation. Local advertisement was carried out within both communities to update the general public on the status of the EA and notify them of the open houses which occurred during two stages of the EA process. A preliminary list of stakeholder groups, identified as having potential interest in the proposed landfill expansion and the associated Terms of Reference for the undertaking, was developed and they were provided with an opportunity of taking a formal part in the EA process.

Prior to proceeding with construction, the proponent will also need to receive all other applicable approvals including approval under the Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Water Resources Act and Planning Act.

The documents can also be downloaded from the Town of Moosonee website.

Terms of Reference

The communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory are located on the Moose River (near James Bay), in the northern part of the District of Cochrane, Northern Ontario. Currently, there are two waste sites servicing each community. However, each site is at (or near) its design capacity. In 1998, formal meetings were held between the Moosonee Area Development Board and the Moose Cree First Nation to identify the long term waste disposal requirements for both communities. As a result, an agreement was reached to develop a single long term waste disposal facility to jointly service both communities.

The undertaking consists of the expansion of the existing Moosonee Area Development Board landfill, in order to develop additional waste disposal capacity for a period of 40 years. The expanded landfill is intended to provide waste disposal facilities for the combined communities of Moosonee and Moose Factory.