Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to announce a grant of $279,000 under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund to the Central Newfoundland Solid Waste Management Committee.

Mr. Speaker, this waste management committee, which represents 108 communities, has received funding from the trust fund to conduct phase two of their regional waste management study. This is the final phase of the project Mr. Speaker and encompasses the investigation of; landfill alternatives, transfer station options, materials recycling and composting facility alternatives. The study also includes the development of a conceptual design for a regional landfill site and the close out requirements for all existing sites in the region.

Mr. Speaker, phase two of this study continues the work conducted last year by the Central Newfoundland Solid Waste Management Committee. In 2001, with a $72,000 grant from the Waste Management Trust Fund, the committee reviewed and evaluated the solid waste management needs, including recycling programs, of the central Newfoundland region.

Mr. Speaker, over the past three years, the trust fund has provided assistance to community groups, municipalities, schools, and businesses to aid in the development and implementation of waste management initiatives in the province.

Since the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund was established in 1999, Mr. Speaker, government has approved 278 applications and approximately $7 million in contributions.

Mr. Speaker, this funding has been disbursed to 285 schools, more than 155 municipalities, 45 environmental and community groups, and several businesses and school districts.

Mr. Speaker, government is committed to addressing our current waste management situation with long-term solutions, thereby ensuring the protection of our environment for the enjoyment of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for generations to come.

Government�s Waste Management Strategy, released in April of this year, is designed to ensure the planning and development of waste management strategies are done by the people in the regions. The partnering of communities will ensure strategies developed meet the needs of the people.

News Release

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.