Future Development of the Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility

1. Proposed Future Development of the EOWHF

GFL Environmental Inc., the owner and operator of the existing Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility (EOWHF) in Moose Creek, Ontario, has initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) seeking approval for the future development of the EOWHF. The proposed future development will involve the construction of approximately 15.1 million cubic metres of additional landfill disposal capacity over a 20-year planning period.

GFL has determined that there is a long-term need for the EOWHF to continue providing disposal capacity. By developing the additional disposal capacity, GFL will be able to continue providing customers with economical waste diversion and green bin organic composting services into the future. The EOWHF is also a major employer and financial contributor to the local community, and the development of additional disposal capacity will allow GFL to maintain this type of economic support. No changes to the approved fill rates or site access routes are proposed.

The EOWHF is located within the Township of North Stormont, approximately five kilometres north-northwest of the village of Moose Creek, Ontario, and five kilometres east of the village of Casselman, Ontario. The proposed future development will be on land currently owned by GFL.

2. The EA

The EA has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), the approved Terms of Reference (ToR), and the conditions of approval. The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change approved the ToR for the project on January 14, 2021.  The approved ToR outlines the framework and work plan for addressing the EAA requirements when preparing the EA, including the public consultation and engagement activities that will be carried out.  A link to the approved ToR is available below.

A Notice of Commencement for the EA was issued on September 23, 2021 and is provided below (link).

The results of the EA are documented in an EA Study Report.  The EA considered two alternative methods for the future development. Studies completed for the EOWHF and future development lands have indicated that, based on the underlying soils, the design alternatives are limited to varying lateral configurations with a consistent height. The development of Stage 5 north of the existing landfill is the same for both alternative methods. Alternative Method 1 involves developing an additional four stages oriented east-west within the future development lands, east of the existing site. Alternative Method 2 involves developing an additional three stages oriented north-south within the future development lands, east of the existing site.

The Draft EA Study Report will be available for review on December 21, 2022. We ask that you provide any questions or comments to the study team using the contact information provided below by February 3, 2023.

The Draft EA Study Report and Supporting Documents can be downloaded using the links provided below.

3. Consultation & Engagement

Members of the public, agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons are encouraged to actively participate in the planning process by attending consultation and engagement opportunities or contacting staff directly with comments or questions. Consultation and engagement opportunities are planned throughout the EA planning process and will be advertised in local newspapers, here on the project website, and by direct mail or email.

You are encouraged to participate in helping us identify issues, interests or ideas to be addressed in the EA. To learn more about the project and consultation and engagement opportunities, communicate questions or comments, or to be added to the project mailing list, please contact:

Mr. Greg van Loenen, Environmental Compliance Officer
GFL Environmental Inc.
17125 Laflèche Road, Moose Creek, Ontario K0C 1W0
Telephone: 613.538.2776 ext. 2223
Fax: 613.538.2779
Email: gvanloenen@gflenv.com

4. Documents

Draft EA Study Report (December 21, 2022)

• Notice of Draft EA Study Report Review / Avis d’examen de l’ébauche du rapport d’étude d’évaluation environnementale

Please provide any questions or comments to the study team using the contact information provided above by February 3, 2023.

Draft EA Study Report

• Executive Summary
• Résumé
• Acronyms, Units and Glossary
• Table of Contents
• Section 1. Introduction
• Section 2. Overview of the Environmental Assessment Process and Study Organization
• Section 3. Overview of the Undertaking
• Section 4. Description of the Environment Potentially Affected by the Undertaking
• Section 5. Alternative Methods of Carrying Out the Undertaking
• Section 6. Net Effects of the Alternative Methods
• Section 7. Comparative Evaluation of Net Effects and Identification of the Preferred Alternative
• Section 8. Net Effects Assessment of the Preferred Alternative
• Section 9. Consultation and Engagement
• Section 10. Monitoring and Commitments for the Undertaking
• Section 11. Approvals
• Section 12. References
• Appendix A. Approved Terms of Reference (excluding supporting documents)
• Appendix B. Terms of Reference Commitments Table

Supporting Document 1 – Existing Conditions Reports

• SD 1-1 – Air Quality and Odour Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-2 – Noise Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-3 – Geology and Hydrogeology Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-4 – Surface Water Quality Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-5 – Surface Water Quantity Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-6 – Ecological Environment Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-7 – Socio-Economic Environment Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-8 – Cultural Heritage Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-9 – Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
• SD 1-10 – Transportation Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-11 – Land Use Existing Conditions Report
• SD 1-12 – Agriculture Existing Conditions Report

Supporting Document 2 – Conceptual Design Report

• Conceptual Design Report

Supporting Document 3 – Net Effects Assessment Reports

• SD 3-1 – Air Quality and Odour Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-2 – Noise Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-3 – Geology and Hydrogeology Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-4 – Surface Water Quality Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-5 – Surface Water Quantity Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-6 – Ecological Environment Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-7 – Socio-Economic Environment Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-8 – Cultural Heritage Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-9 – Archaeological Resources Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-10 – Transportation Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-11 – Land Use Effects Assessment Report
• SD 3-12 – Agriculture Effects Assessment Repor

Supporting Document 4 – Draft Record of Consultation and Engagement

• Draft Record of Consultation & Engagement

Public Open House #2

GFL  hosted Public Open House #2 on July 20, 2022 to provide an update on the project and the assessment of alternative methods, and to present the results of the comparative evaluation that was conducted to identify the preferred alternative for the future development. A copy of the Public Open House Report, including display materials, is available through the following link:

• GFL Environmental Inc., Future Development of the Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility – Public Open House #2 Summary Report (August 17, 2022)

Public Open House #1 -October 7, 2021

GFL hosted Public Open House #1 for the proposed project on October 7, 2021. A copy of the Public Open House Summary Report, including display materials, is available through the following link:

• GFL Environmental Inc., Future Development of the Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility – Public Open House #1 Summary Report (December 17, 2021)

Notice of Commencement of Environmental Assessment – September 23, 2021

A copy of the Notice of Commencement for the EA was published on September 23, 2021 and is available here:

• Notice of Commencement and Public Open House #1, September 23, 2021 (English)
• Avis de commencement pour une évaluation environnementale – Développement futur de l’installation de traitement des déchets de l’Est de l’Ontario – 23 septembre 2021 (français)

Terms of Reference – Approved January 14, 2021

Following review of the terms of reference by members of the public, agencies, indigenous communities, and other interested persons, the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the Terms of Reference on January 14, 2021. A copy of the Minister’s letter and the Notice of Approval are available at the following links:

• Terms of Reference approval letter from Minister Yurek, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, January 15, 2021
• Terms of Reference – Notice of Approval, January 14, 2021

A copy of the ToR and supporting documentation are available at the following links:

• Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment, Future Development of the Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility (September 11, 2020)
• Record of Consultation and Engagement Supporting Document, Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment, Future Development of the Eastern Ontario Waste Handling Facility (September 11, 2020)
  
  • Appendix A – Stakeholder Contact List
  • Appendix B – Public Notices
  • Appendix C – Public Open House Summary Report
  • Appendix D – Project Update Communication Materials
  • Appendix E – Presentations to Municipal Councils
  • Appendix F – Indigenous Engagement and Communications
  • Appendix G – Public Consultation and Communications
  • Appendix H – Agencies Consultation and Communications
  • Appendix I – Media Publications
  • Appendix J – Comment Response Tables