The new Cache Creek Landfill Extension should have an Operating Certificate by next Spring, says Mike Budzik of Belkorp Environmental Services.
He was updating Cache Creek Council on the status of the certificate at the Sept. 23 Council meeting.
Budzik told Council that the 13 pages of explanations and requirements are based on the existing Landfill’s Operating Certificate, with a few changes that were required by the Ministry of Environment.
One of those changes is the inclusion of slaughterhouse waste – an item that was never allowed under municipal solid waste definitions in the past.
Section 3.1.8 of the draft certificate reads: “Notwithstanding the requirements of section 3.1.6, the disposal anaerobically digested animal by-products and slaughterhouse waste is hereby authorized. Disposal of anaerobically digested animal by-products and slaughterhouse waste containing specified risk material shall be undertaken in compliance of a required permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.”
Martin Dalsin, a former administrator for the Village, attended the meeting as a member of the public and asked about the inclusion of slaughterhouse waste during the public question period.
“The province requries areas to dispose of this sort of waste,” replied Mayor John Ranta. “We feel that we have the right type of facility to do that.”
Dalsin asked if that would allow carcases such as chickens infected with Avian Flu to be deposited in the landfill. In April 2004, the province considered depositing thousands of culled diseased poultry from the Lower Mainland in the landfill, initiating a week-long protest at the landfill by local people and other interested parties while Dalsin was administrator.
“Specified risk material” refers to brain matter and other material that contains chemicals which, in the case of livestock diseases such as Mad Cow, could lead to diseases in humans.
Ranta noted that disposal of such material at the Landfill will have to go through an appropriate permitting process with the CFIA.
Budzig added that the carcasses will be broken down and digested into a sludge material before it is deposited in the landfill.
