NLIS 4
June 14, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)


Funding approved for Harbour Grace incinerator site clean-up

Tom Osborne, Minister of Environment and Conservation, and John Scott, chair and CEO of the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), announced today that $200,000 has been approved under the Newfoundland and Labrador Waste Management Trust Fund to clean up the former Harbour Grace incinerator site.

Minister Osborne said the funding will ensure a proper environmental clean up at the former incinerator site. "This is a significant and necessary investment for clean-up work at the former Harbour Grace incinerator site," added the minister. "I am pleased that we have been able to secure funding through MMSB to bring the final phase of its permanent closure to a successful conclusion in an environmentally responsible manner."

The $200,000 has been awarded to the Town of Harbour Grace and will be used to remove a number of structures at the site and clean up the grounds, including removing all large metal debris. The site will then be regraded to enhance the natural drainage in the area and allow it to blend into the surrounding topography.

Mr. Scott noted that the Provincial Waste Management Strategy embraces a regional approach to managing solid waste in Newfoundland and Labrador and has targeted a reduction in the number of waste disposal sites by 80 per cent to achieve this goal. He said the investment in the clean-up of the Harbour Grace incinerator site is part of a broader plan by MMSB to support the consolidation and closure of as many waste disposal sites in the province as possible. "MMSB has provided funding to help close out 12 waste disposal sites in the past year or so and is prepared to make further investments in this area throughout the province," added Mr. Scott.

Minister Osborne said that the long term-plan for the future use of the Harbour Grace site is to utilize it as a waste transfer station for the Conception Bay North area, as part of the broader regional waste management strategy being developed by the Greater Avalon Regional Waste Management Committee. He added: "In the shorter term, there may be merit in looking at the feasibility of utilizing the site as a recycling station to support a fibre waste diversion initiative for Conception Bay North, similar to what we are doing in other parts of the province. Both my department and MMSB are prepared to work with communities in the region to consider such a concept further."

The Harbour Grace incinerator site operated as a regional waste disposal site for the Conception Bay North area until November 2002. It was closed at that time due to serious environmental, public health and operational issues. All solid waste collected in the region since then has been trucked to the Robin Hood Bay landfill in St. John�s.

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 14                                             12:40 p.m.


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