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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2010 02 18
11:35 a.m.
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