Westside Landfill Closure
Based on current volumes, it’s anticipated that the Westside Sanitary Landfill site
will close during 2010. That means, once it is closed, no further materials
will be accepted for burial at the site.
The Provincial Ministry of Environment required all existing landfills to submit
a closure plan by December 31, 1995. The Regional District of Central Okanagan
has had a plan in place since mid-1993 for closing the Westside Sanitary Landfill.
Link to
Westside Sanitary Landfill Operations and Closure Plan (2MB, 108 pages).
As we near the end of the active use of the Westside landfill site,
a Final Closure Plan is
being developed for
consideration of the
Regional Board and
approval of the Ministry
of Environment. A
monthly newsletter
is available to provide
regular updates on
the closure planning and
landfill activity.
(Click
here to be added to
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list)
UPDATE - At the
January 14th, 2010
Regional Board meeting,
Directors supported an
amended resolution
(based on a staff
Report to Board) to
locate a temporary solid
waste transfer station
at the Westside Landfill
for the convenience of
residents of the
District of West
Kelowna, District of
Peachland, Central
Okanagan West Electoral
Area and Westbank First
Nation. The 1993
Landfill Closure Plan
identified the site for
a convenience drop off
location. Approximately
$470,000 in reserve
funds will be used for
modifications to the
existing drop off for
residential garbage,
recycling and yard
waste. It’s anticipated
that by mid-2010, no
further materials will
be buried in the
Westside Landfill. At
that time it’s expected
that all solid waste
materials dropped off at
the Westside transfer
station facility will be
transported to the
Glenmore Landfill for
disposal. During
discussion and
deliberations on the
2010 Financial Plan, the
Board will consider a
report outlining
equitable cost sharing
options for stakeholders
served and users of the
convenience transfer
station facility. As
well, Regional District
staff will work with
those of the District of
West Kelowna and other
stakeholders to identify
any other possible
locations for a
permanent transfer
facility.
The proposed temporary transfer
station facility at the
Landfill would accept
residential materials delivered in smaller vehicles, to
be loaded onto larger containers or vehicles and hauled away for further processing
and final disposal.
Background:
In order to develop a viable transfer station operation for the landfill location,
a public consultation process
was held in the spring
of 2008. (May
2008 News Release) The thoughts of landfill users and customers, neighbours
living around the existing landfill and other stakeholders are important to help
determine the services desired for a transfer station and the associated costs of
collecting those materials and transporting them for processing and disposal.
During June 2008, a number of methods were used to consult with the public:
- A questionnaire was provided to customers using the Westside Sanitary Landfill;
- An exit questionnaire was done for selected customers of the landfill;
- A questionnaire was available
online and at the following locations:
- RDCO
office
-
District
of West
Kelowna
office
-
District
of
Peachland
office
-
Westbank
First
Nation
office
-
Westbank
and
District
Chamber
of
Commerce
- A statistically-valid telephone survey was conducted of the representative population
living within the
District of
West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation Reserves
#9 and #10 and the District of Peachland
-
News Release June 2008
Information from these sources was compiled during the summer of 2008 (News
Release September 2008) and options for a transfer station facility were
expected to be presented for comment during an Open House in the fall of 2008.
In October 2008, the consulting team presented an
Update Report on the Westside Landfill Closure and Concept Plans to the
Governance and Services Committee. As preparation continues into the Closure
and Conceptual Plans, public information meetings have been postponed.
News Release October 2008
May 2009 News Release
updating Landfill
Closure Planning Process
Concept Closure Plan
- a presentation was
given to the Regional
Governance and Services
Committee on July 9th,
2009
updating the Concept
Closure Plan and the
move towards final
closure of the landfill.
Links of Interest:
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