Northeast receives $1.3M funding to decommission landfills
NORTHEAST – The Rural Municipality of Bjorkdale, City of Humboldt and Village of Mistatim will be receiving over $1,296,147 million in federal and provincial funding through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)
A joint investment of more than $45 million from federal, provincial, and local governments will support an increased supply of safe and reliable drinking water, effective wastewater treatment, and cleaner soil for communities across Saskatchewan.
These projects were announced by Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Sean Fraser and Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Don McMorris.
Funding will also support the decommissioning of the Chelan and Peesane landfills in the Rural Municipality of Bjorkdale No. 426. This work includes designing and constructing final engineered covers and conducting land reclamation activities for future use. The RM of Bjorkdale will receive $181,794 in federal and $151,480 in provincial funding.
The City of Humboldt and REACT will decommission and reclaim the historical hilltop cells. They will be receiving $379,827 federally, and $316,491 in provincial funding.
The Village of Mistatim, population 30, will decommission and reclaim the Villages landfill with the intended use of a transfer station surrounded by undisturbed grassland. They will be receiving $145,400 federally and $121,155 in provincial funding.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment told SASKTODAY.ca that landfill decommissioning is a strategic priority for the Government of Saskatchewan and is an outcome identified in our Solid Waste Management Strategy.
Landfills are required to close once they reach capacity or if environmental impacts are identified that cannot be appropriately managed.
Each project has its own forecasted construction start date. Based on information provided by the recipients to the Ministry of Government Relations in February 2024, the specific construction dates for the projects are as follows:
- REACT/City of Humboldt – May 10, 2024
- R.M. of Bjorkdale – April 1, 2024
- Village of Mistatim – May 1, 2025
The Ministry of Environment said historical landfills not designed to modern standards may be required to be closed prior to reaching capacity, but the urgency and decision as to when to close the landfill is based on the level of risk for potential or actual environmental impacts present.
Communities are required to close landfill cells without a barrier system or leachate collection if they are nearing capacity, as historical landfills are typically not allowed to be expanded. There may be site-specific issues that cause a landfill to be closed before it is full said the Ministry of Environment. The Ministry works with communities on timelines to close their facilities, typically up to five years. A total investment of $45 Million in Green Infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan were announced.
"Saskatchewan is committed to improving infrastructure and providing communities and their residents with the resources and funding to make valued and reliable upgrades," McMorris said. "The additional funding to make projects like these a reality demonstrates our commitment to growing communities and improving life for our residents, regardless of where they call home in our province. These projects happen thanks to the partnerships from all involved for the betterment of Saskatchewan both today and for generations to come."
The federal government is investing $18,016,679 through the Green Infrastructure Stream (GIS) of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Over 190 infrastructure projects under the GIS have been announced in Saskatchewan, with a total federal contribution of more than $385 million and a total provincial contribution of nearly $275 million.
Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SASKTODAY.ca
