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Municipal Affairs
Environment and Conservation
February 18, 2010

Funding of $86,130 to Support Waste Management Initiatives in Deer Lake

To support advancement of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy, the Provincial Government is providing $86,130 to support upgrades to the existing waste disposal site in Deer Lake, and decommissioning of the waste incinerator.

"This investment will allow the Deer Lake waste disposal site to be used as an interim sub-regional landfill, and supports the commitment to establish an environmentally-responsible waste disposal process for the region," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Municipal Affairs (Acting). "The municipal council in Deer Lake should be commended for their efforts in making waste management a priority, and supporting our government's commitment to secure modern waste disposal services throughout the province."

Upgrades to the Deer Lake waste disposal site have been completed and included cleanup and re-grading to prepare the site for landfill operations, and decommissioning of the incinerator. Landfill operations are ongoing and the re-developed site has the capacity to accept and manage waste from surrounding areas including Howley and Bonne Bay South, and allowing for the closure of dump sites in those areas. Final closure of the interim site will occur upon start-up of the regional operation slated for 2016.

"Every action we take to upgrade landfill sites and decommission incinerators in our province is another environmental success," said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation. "Our commitment to a sustainable future is evident in the goals of our Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy, and the upgrades to the Deer Lake site help further these goals."

"I would like to commend Deer Lake and surrounding areas on the leadership role they have taken to redevelop the waste disposal site and support use of an interim landfill site," said Gilbert Smart, Chair, Western Waste Management Committee. "Waste management in the western region continues to make progress, and this investment is another great example of communities working together to support the plan for waste management. We anticipate that in the coming months areas including Daniels Harbour, Bay St. George and Port aux Basques will follow suit and move toward a consolidated disposal system."

"Our government has been extremely dedicated to implementing a modern waste management system, and this is another important step in improving our province's waste disposal," said Darryl Kelly, MHA for the District of Humber Valley. "Government is committed to working with municipalities like those in my district to achieve effective and efficient waste management practices. I am pleased that the Town of Deer Lake and its neighboring municipalities continue to promote regional approaches to service delivery, and am pleased with this Provincial Governments financial contribution."

"The Town of Deer Lake is quite excited to see the Provincial Waste Management Strategy taking shape, and work on the Deer Lake landfill site is helping to move waste disposal services in the right direction," said Dean Ball, Mayor of Deer Lake. "With the assistance from the province, we are optimistic that the landfill location will be a great sub-regional site as we jointly strive to make waste concerns affordable for our residents and region and as well acceptable for our environment."

The $200 million Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy will introduce three full-service regional waste management facilities on the Avalon, Central and Western areas of the island portion of the province, and programs for the zones in Labrador to meet provincial waste management goals. The provincial strategy will aim to reduce the amount of waste going into landfills in the province by 50 per cent, supported by the development of new waste diversion programs. It is expected that full implementation of the strategy will occur by 2020.

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
 
Gilbert Smart
Chair, Western Waste Management Committee
709-632-2203
wrwastemgmt@bellaliant.com 
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca 
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members' Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca
 
Dean Ball
Mayor of the Town of Deer Lake
709-635-2451
deanball@hotmail.com 
 


2010 02 18                                                  11:35 a.m.
 


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