HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-34-94Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD -34 -94 be received;
2. THAT the consulting firm of Gartner Lee Inc. be retained to provide
technical assistance to the Municipality with respect to the
proposal by Laidlaw Waste Systems (Durham) Ltd. to "mine" their
existing landfill site, in accordance with the Terms of Reference
attached to this Report as Attachment No. 1;
3. THAT the Durham Region Planning Department, and all interested
parties listed in this report and any delegation be advised of
Council's decision.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 Laidlaw Waste Systems (Durham) Ltd. has submitted a proposal to the
Ministry of the Environment to "mine" the south mound of their
existing landfill site northwest of Newtonville. A report prepared
by Laidlaw's consultant, Henderson Paddon & Associates, outlining
the technical details of the proposal has recently been submitted
to the Ministry and the Municipality.
1.2 On December 13, 1993, Council adopted a resolution advising the
Ministry of Environment and Energy of concerns with the social and
environmental impact of the proposal, and requesting that the
Municipality be fully consulted on this matter.
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REPORT NO.: PD -34 -94 PAGE 2
2. SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL
2.1 The proposed mining operation would involve the progressive
excavation of the waste, screening of the waste to remove 'fines'
(daily cover material) , recyclable material (white metal, scrap
metal, tires), and potentially hazardous waste. The 'waste overs'
(waste material not screened) would be temporarily stockpiled on-
site, while the fines may be stock -piled or used elsewhere on the
site. Recyclable material would be sold for recycling, and
hazardous materials would be temporarily stored in a lockable bin
on -site.
2.2 A geosynthetic clay liner and a leachate collector system would be
installed at the base of the excavated waste mound. The waste
overs would then be placed back in the landfill on the approved
footprint. Collected leachate would be discharged to the Rapid
Infiltration Basins.
2.3 Laidlaw has indicated that additional capacity for landfilling
would be made available because of the removal of recyclable
material, a reduced requirement for daily cover because the waste
overs would be placed quickly back in the landfill, and improved
compaction of the waste. Laidlaw has estimated that approximately
42,000 metric tonnes of landfilling capacity would be recovered.
The final contour for the south mound would comply with the
Certificate of Approval for the site as issued by the Ministry of
Environment and Energy. Laidlaw has indicated their intention to
also undertake a similar operation for the north mound.
3. REQUIRED APPROVALS
3.1 Staff of the Ministry of Environment and Energy have advised that
the concept of mining a landfill to undertake remedial work or to
gain disposal capacity, is a new enterprise for Ontario. As such,
the Ministry has begun reviewing the necessary approvals that would
be required for this activity. Ministry Staff have recently
indicated that they hope to have this review completed by the
middle of April 1994.
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REPORT NO.: PD -34 -94
PAGE 3
3.2 TransCanada Pipelines, which operates the natural gas pipeline
which bisects the Laidlaw landfill, has recently indicated that
they need to review Laidlaw's proposal to ensure the safety and
integrity of the pipeline. The National Energy Board Act regulates
activities using power- operated equipment in the vicinity of
pipelines. As such, approval of the National Energy Board may be
required prior to any work on the site.
3.3 Staff have not yet determined whether the proposal by Laidlaw would
require the submission and approval of a Rezoning Application.
Staff will consult the Municipality's solicitor if necessary.
Similarly, the Region of Durham Planning Department has indicated
that it is not clear whether the proposed mining of the landfill
mounds would require an amendment to the Regional Official Plan.
4. COMMENTS
4.1 Notwithstanding whether any Municipal approvals are required for
Laidlaw's proposal to mine the existing landfill mounds, it is
important that the Municipality be fully aware of the proposed
operation and any potential hazards associated with it. It is also
important that the effectiveness of the proposed landfill lining
and leachate collection system in protecting ground water and
surface water quality be fully assessed. Finally, the prospect of
additional landfilling activity at the site and the associated
social and environmental impacts should be properly reviewed.
4.2 Staff is recommending that the Municipality retain a
hydrogeological consultant to review material related to Laidlaw's
mining proposal and provide advice on the technical aspects of the
proposed operation. Mr. Bruce Bennett, previously with Acres
International Limited and now with the firm Gartner Lee Inc., has
considerable experience with the Laidlaw lands through his
involvement with the "Infill" proposal and the IWA site search.
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REPORT NO.: PD -34 -94 PAGE
4.3 As such, it is recommended that the Municipality retain the
consulting firm Gartner Lee Inc. to provide technical assistance in
the review of Laidlaw's proposal. The firm has advised Staff that
the review of the technical document submitted by Laidlaw's
consultant could be undertaken for approximately $3,000.00, while
the review of information related to examples of other similar
mining operations in the U.S. and Canada could be undertaken for a
further $2,000.00. Sufficient funds are available for this work in
the Department budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P.
Director of Planning
and Development
JAS *FW *jip
*Attach
11 March 1994
Reviewed by,
/F M l VX_--7
W. H. S ockwell f/✓
Chief Administrative
Officer
Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's decision:
Mr. Normund Berzins
Committee of Clarke Constituents
P.O. Box 20028
NEWCASTLE, Ontario
L1B 1M3
Mr. A. Dominski
Waste Sites and Systems Approvals
Ministry of Environment and Energy
250 Davisville Avenue
3rd Floor
TORONTO, Ontario
M4S 1H2
Mr. Bruce Bennett
Senior Hydrogeologist
Gartner Lee Inc.
105 Main Street
NIAGARA FALLS, New York
14303
iiiffl
Introduction
Laidlaw Waste Systems (Durham) Ltd. has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of the
Environment to "mine" their existing landfill in Part Lot 12, Concession 3, former Township of
Clarke. The project, as currently presented by Laidlaw, would involve removing the waste
material from the south mound, screening out the fines (interim and daily waste cover material)
and recyclables from the waste materials. Laidlaw would then install a liner and a leachate
collection system prior to replacing the waste material back into the approved footprint.
The Municipality of Clarington requires technical assistance on various aspects of Laidlaw's
proposal, specifically the proposed "mining" of the existing waste mound, and the installation
and operation of environmental controls below the waste mound. Other concerns may be
identified through the course of the review or as more information is provided.
The following Terms of Reference are intended to provide general guidance to the consultant
in their review and analysis of Laidlaw's proposal. However, limited information has been
provided by Laidlaw on their proposal. As well, the concept of "mining" landfill sites to
undertake remedial work or gain disposal capacity, is a new enterprise to Ontario. As such,
these Terms of Reference may be modified in the future as more information on the Laidlaw
proposal becomes available.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. Review of Documents
1.1 The consultant shall undertake a Peer Review of technical material submitted by
Laidlaw or others regarding the proposal, and provide comments to the
Municipality on various aspects of the proposed operation, including the following:
1.1.1 Reclamation of the Waste Mound
the excavation of the waste mound;
2. material recovery;
3. stockpiling of excavated material;
4. proposed phasing;
5. the handling of potentially hazardous waste;
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6. the handling of leachate- saturated waste;
7. noise, odour and dust impacts;
8. methane hazards;
9. control of sedimentation and surface runoff;
10. monitoring of operations;
11. other relevant matters as identified by the consultant.
1.1.2 Leachate Management System
1. design and construction of clay liner;
2. depth of clay liner in relation to contaminated base materials;
3. leachate collection and removal system;
4. treatment and disposal of collected leachate;
5. capacity and effectiveness of the Rapid Infiltration Basins;
6. long -term operation;
7. protection of surface water and ground water quality;
8. monitoring;
9. other relevant matters as identified by the consultant.
1.2 Review of Landfill Mining
1.2.1 The consultant shall undertake a cursory review of current, previous or proposed
landfill mining projects in Ontario, Canada and the United States. The review
should focus on the success of such projects, and problems encountered, in
particular as related to protection of the natural environment.
2. Meetings and Reports
2.1 The consultant shall submit the results of the Peer Review of technical material to
the Municipality.
2.2 The consultant shall meet with Municipal Staff and others as required.
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