A {open_quotes}community-based{close_quotes} approach to landfill closure
- Gartner Lee Limited, Markham, Ontario (Canada)
- Philip Environmental, Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)
Closure plans for landfill sites are typically developed by landfill owners/operators in conjunction with the appropriate regulatory agency. Often, technical issues are considered first and end use and the needs of the local community are treated as a secondary concern. This can be termed a {open_quotes}top-down{close_quotes} approach. This paper present a case study of closure plan development for the Taro West Quarry Landfill, located in Stoney Creek, Ontario. A {open_quotes}bottom-up{close_quotes}, or {open_quotes}community-based{close_quotes} approach was followed, in which local residents participated early in the closure planning process. Neighbours were allowed to obtain large amounts of information about the site, gained a solid understanding of technical issues, and had influence on decision making. The landfill has been in operation since 1980. The site is licensed to accept solid, non-hazardous industrial waste. Closure plan development began in the mid 1980s with planning for placement of a final cover and end use as a recreational community park. A community liaison committee was subsequently formed in 1992 which included members of the local public, staff from the City of Stoney Creek and provincial regulators, and the owners. By the late 1980s routine monitoring indicated that the wastes produced leachate containing elevated levels of chloride, ammonia, and phenols, and that this had affected local ground and surface water quality in excess of regulatory guidelines. Monitoring also indicated that combustible gas had migrated off-site, under winter conditions, to near a residential subdivision in potentially explosive concentrations. The problems were addressed immediately upon their detection, with the involvement of the community, the City, and the regulators. The prior establishment of good communications with various stakeholders was a key factor in facilitating remedial work.
- OSTI ID:
- 96134
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950166-; TRN: 95:005788-0021
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: U.S./Canadian Federation solid waste management conference, Washington, DC (United States), 17-20 Jan 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1995 US/Canadian federal solid waste management conference; PB: 402 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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