Funding Announced to Close Fogo Island Dumpsite
The Provincial Government is providing $541,742 to advance the provincial solid waste management strategy and to close the Fogo Island dump, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs, announced today.
"Of the total funding, $105,000 will be spent on the
actual closure of the site," said Minister Denine. "An additional
$436,742 has been allocated to construct a transfer station on the
island that will allow for waste transfer to the interim disposal site
in Gander."
A consultant contracted by the Central Newfoundland
Waste Management Authority (CNWMA) is currently arranging for
contractors to immediately begin the closure of the existing waste site.
Planning and design of the transfer station is expected
to start immediately to allow for construction and full operation prior
to the winter season, with an anticipated completion date by the end of
the calendar year.
"The authority supports this direction as it meets the
mandate of the central Newfoundland waste management strategy," said
Allan Scott, Chair of the Central Newfoundland Waste Management
Authority. "The majority of the funding for Fogo Island is to construct
the first transfer facility that will become an integral part of central
Newfoundland waste management facilities. The central strategy will see
the construction of six additional transfer sites, with the main
facility being built at the Norris Arm North intersection with the Trans
Canada Highway. Our hope is to see Fogo Island become the first
garbage-free zone in the province."
"The Fogo Island Regional Council is very pleased with
the Provincial Government�s funding commitment," said Gerald McKenna,
Chair of the Fogo Island Regional Council. "We are proud to be doing our
part to advance the central waste management strategy and we thank the
department for supporting us as we endeavor to become one of the first
waste-free areas in the province."
"I am pleased that the Williams Government is supporting
the Central Waste Management Authority, the regional council and the
community councils in resolving this island-wide concern," said Derrick
Dalley, MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame. "This funding fulfills the
commitment made by the Provincial Government to pay 100 per cent of the
costs associated with the closure of the Fogo Island site and the
infrastructure costs associated with the transfer of future waste to the
interim Gander disposal site. It is exciting that Fogo Island will soon
claim to be a garbage-free island."
In May 2007, the Provincial Government
announced implementation of the $200 million provincial waste management
strategy, with a goal for full implementation by 2020. The strategy
calls for full-service regional waste management facilities on the
Avalon, Central and Western areas of the island portion of the province,
and programs which will be developed for the zones in Labrador to meet
the provincial waste management goals. Regional waste management
authorities will be established in 15 waste management zones
"Not only is this in the best interest of the health and safety of area residents, but it is in line with the provincial waste management strategy, which will see a full-service regional waste management facility in the central area of the province by 2011," said Minister Denine.
- 30 -
Media contact: Jennifer Collingwood JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca
2008 08 22 9:45 a.m. |
|
All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server. Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement |