Applications from three Island companies to operate construction and demolition (C&D) disposal sites have been approved following a review by the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment.
Minister Chester Gillan said conditional approvals have been granted to Maintenance Services Limited to operate a C&D disposal site in Hazelbrook; G&P Trucking & Construction Limited for a site in St. Peters, and Kings County Construction Limited for a C&D disposal site in Brudenell.
"The applications were reviewed under the environmental impact assessment process and it was found that they all meet or exceed the requirements set out in the Waste Resource Management Regulations to protect soil, air and water resources in Prince Edward Island," the Minister said. "As the next step, the department has set out a number of very specific additional requirements the companies must fulfill before they can begin operating. As part of the conditional approval, they have 60 working days to meet these requirements."
Under the Environmental Protection Act Waste Resource Management Regulations, C&D disposal sites must satisfy very specific and strict design and operational requirements including: A minimum one-metre compacted clay liner; A plan for placement of cover on the debris; A drainage plan for surface water; A minimum of four groundwater monitoring wells; A minimum separation distance of 150 metres from the active disposal area to the foundation of the nearest off-site residence or business; Direct supervision during operating hours; Inspection of all loads by the supervisor of the site to ensure acceptance of only C&D debris; Measures to control dust, odour and noise where required; Detailed records of the quantity and types of materials disposed of or stored.
In addition to these prerequisites, Minister Gillan said the department is requiring the companies to provide verification from a qualified engineering consulting firm that all work meets or exceeds specifications in the regulations; and to submit an operation and maintenance manual detailing operational procedures, contingency plans to deal with emergency issues including spills, plans to deal with any waste not accepted for disposal and other operational information.
Under other conditions of the permits, the Minister said hours of operation at the sites will be restricted to daylight hours Monday to Saturday, and the owners must provide a minimum 24 hours written notice to the department of all demolition materials being delivered to the sites.
"An important thing to remember is that by definition, construction and demolition disposal sites may be used only for disposal of C&D debris, and the regulations clearly define C&D debris as materials that are not hazardous," said Minister Gillan. "C&D disposal sites also play an important role in reducing the volume of waste being buried as materials taken to these sites are recycled or reused whenever possible."
Items permitted at C&D disposal sites are materials commonly used in construction. That includes soil, asphalt, brick, mortar, drywall, plaster, cellulose, fibreglass fibres, gyproc, and lumber and wood that is not chemically treated.
The sites in Hazelbrook, St. Peters and Brudenell are the first C&D disposal sites to receive conditional approval under the Waste Resource Management Regulations. The regulations ensure that all solid waste materials go to an approved disposal site and are not being disposed of in a manner that poses a threat to the water, soil or air quality in Prince Edward Island.
As of January 1, 2002, anyone operating a C&D disposal site must have approval from the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment. Owners of C&D sites must apply annually to the department for an operating permit.