West Carleton Environmental Centre
Project information about this environmental assessment.
Introduction
Proponent
Waste Management of Canada Corporation
Location
The lands generally bounded by Highway 417, Carp Road and Richardson Sideroad, City of Ottawa
Type
Waste
Reference number
09025
Contact
Environmental Assessment Branch
Current status
Environmental assessment: approved, August 28, 2013
Project summary
The purpose of the undertaking is to develop a new landfill footprint as part of the development known as the West Carleton Environmental Centre (WCEC).
Project history
- Environmental assessment: approved
- Date submitted: September 14, 2012
- Expiry of public comment period: November 2, 2012
- Expiry of public comment period for Ministry Review: February 22, 2013
- Decision date: August 28, 2013
- Terms of reference: approved
- Date submitted: June 18, 2010
- Expiry of public comment period: July 19, 2010
- Decision date: November 25, 2010
Environmental assessment
Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM) in consultation with Agencies, the City of Ottawa, Aboriginal groups, and the public undertook an EA to develop a new landfill footprint as part of the development known as the West Carleton Environmental Centre (WCEC). The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to provide additional waste disposal capacity for solid non-hazardous waste in the form of a new landfill footprint, which will enable WM to continue commercial operations and support its business following the closure of the existing Ottawa Waste Management Facility (WMF) in September 2011.
The final EA Report was submitted to the Minister of the Environment on September 14, 2012 for a decision under the Environmental Assessment Act. In responses to comments received on the EA, WM submitted an Amended EA to the Ministry on January 21, 2013. Copies of the Amended EA are available on WM's project website.
The proposed undertaking is for the development of a new landfill footprint directly adjacent to WM’s existing Ottawa WMF. Specifically, WM was seeking approval for:
- a total of 6,500,000 m3 in landfill capacity of solid non-hazardous waste, including final cover
- service area that includes the province of Ontario, but will primarily serve Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (IC&I) and residential waste generators from the City of Ottawa and the Good Neighbour Zone, which includes surrounding communities mainly within Lanark County
The annual disposal rate is estimated to be 400,000 tonnes per year, with an additional 150,000 tonnes per year of daily and interim cover. The estimated site life of the proposed new landfill footprint will be approximately 10 years. The proposed landfill will be an engineered landfill designed to meet the requirements of O. Reg. 232/98 (“Landfilling Sites”) under the Environmental Protection Act.
The Minister with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council made a decision to allow the undertaking to proceed on August 28, 2013. The Notice of Approval outlines the reasons for the approval and the conditions that have been imposed. WM can proceed to implement the undertaking, subject to the conditions placed on this approval and the receipt of any other required approvals or permits.
Terms of reference
Summary
As part of the environmental assessment (EA) process for a new landfill footprint at the West Carleton Environmental Centre (WCEC), a terms of reference (ToR) was submitted to the Ministry of the Environment MOE) for review as required under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). Submitting a proposed ToR is the first step in the EA process. If approved, the ToR will serve as a framework for the preparation and review of the EA for the proposed undertaking. The ToR was made available to the public, government agencies and Aboriginal communities for review and comment from June 18, 2010 to July 19, 2010. The new landfill footprint is one component of the WCEC that Waste Management of Canada Corporation (WM) is proposing to construct and operate near its existing Waste Management Facility (WMF) in the City of Ottawa, Ontario.
Project type
This ToR for a waste management project is submitted to the Minister of the Environment for approval in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (EAA). The proposed ToR has been prepared in accordance with subsections 6(2)(c) and 6.1(3) of the EAA, which enable proponents to “focus” the EA and consideration of project alternatives to address their specific needs and circumstances.
Purpose of the proposed undertaking
The purpose of the proposed undertaking is to provide additional disposal capacity for solid non hazardous waste at or near the existing WMF, in order to allow WM to continue to manage its current commercial operations and support the continuation of its business operations.
Study area
The proposed On-Site and Site-vicinity study areas for the EA are listed below:
- On-Site - the lands owned or optioned by WM and required for the new landfill. The Site is bounded by Highway 417, Carp Road and Richardson Sideroad
- Site-vicinity - the lands in the vicinity of the site extending about 500 m in all directions
- Regional - the lands within approximately 3-5 kilometres (km) of the Site for those disciplines that require a larger analysis area (i.e. socio-economic, odour, etc.)