NLIS 2
June 9, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)
Funding announced for
closure of waste disposal sites
Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment
and Conservation, and John Scott, Chair and CEO of the
Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), today announced $172,000
in funding under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management
Trust Fund for regional waste management initiatives in the
province.
The $172,000 is for the closure of five municipal waste disposal
sites around the province. Waste disposal sites that will close
permanently include the sites at Rattling Brook, Port Anson-Miles
Cove, Englee, Port au Port East and Burnt Point.
Minister Osborne said these projects announced under MMSB�s
Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund support the
provincial waste management strategy�s goals of reducing the number
of waste disposal sites in the province by 80 per cent and adopting
a more regional approach to solid waste management in Newfoundland
and Labrador.
"Projects such as these will help guide the province toward a more
modern and environmentally responsible waste management system,"
said Minister Osborne. "The Trust Fund supports progressive waste
management practices in Newfoundland and Labrador and, in doing so,
plays an important role in the environmental sustainability of our
province," said the minister. "A regional approach to managing solid
waste is the most cost-effective approach to meeting our challenges
in waste management over the long term, especially for rural areas."
Mr. Scott said that MMSB works closely with municipalities, regional
waste management committees and other stakeholders to develop and
advance waste management plans that meet the needs of all regions of
the province. "Investments made under the Trust Fund to date have
benefitted more than 300 community-based organizations. MMSB looks
forward to making additional strategic investments through the fund
to guide our province to a greener future."
Jim Hodder, MHA for Port au Port, said: "Consolidating our existing
waste disposal sites is critical to achieving regional waste
management, and I am delighted to see the Town of Port au Port East
and the Town of Lourdes working together on this front. The decision
to close the Port au Port East site was based on the Town of Lourdes
agreeing to accept all waste generated by Port au Port East
residents at its waste disposal facility."
The MHA for Trinity-Bay de Verde, Charlene Johnson, said she is
pleased with the waste management initiatives being undertaken by
communities in her district. "The Local Service District of Burnt
Point-Gull Island-Northern Bay and the Town of Old Perlican have
determined that it is in the best interest of a number of
communities in the area to consolidate their waste management
efforts at the Old Perlican waste disposal site. MMSB�s investment
to properly close the local dump at Burnt Point was key to bringing
all of this about in an environmentally acceptable manner."
MMSB is a provincial Crown agency that reports to the Minister of
Environment and Conservation. MMSB supports modern waste management
practices in the province, with a particular focus on waste
diversion, recycling and public education, in order to ensure a
clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
Media contact:
David Penney, MMSB, (709)753-0993
Sonia Glover, Environment and Conservation, (709)729-2575, 685-6612
2005 06 09
11:15 a.m. |