Next Steps

As a first step, the City is working with the RM of Moose Jaw to acquire a land use approval through their discretionary use process. As part of this process, we are reaching out to key stakeholders and the public to garner feedback. If you don’t hear from the City directly, there are two options to provide feedback or ask questions:

1. Inquire through the City Webpage
2. Attend an open house which will be scheduled in early 2024.

Timeline

Building and permitting the SWMF takes time and input from various regulatory bodies. A general overview of the process has been provided below:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will there be blowing debris? If so, how is that managed?

As part of the detailed design, an Operations Plan will be submitted and approved by the Ministry of Environment, which will include required litter control measures, such as:  

• Daily landfill cover, this is a layer of soil which is applied to the landfill’s active face each day to limit any waste from being displaced due to weather events such as wind or a storm
• Portable litter fences
• Perimeter fencing
• Operations dedicated to litter control at the Facility and surrounding the site

2. How will dust be controlled at the site?

Dust control will be included as part of the Operations Plan. Common practices include:

• Watering access and haul roads
• Reducing speed approaching and within the Facility

3. Will nearby neighbors or the community be impacted by odours? What about in high winds and temperatures?

Odour control will be included as part of the Operations Plan. Common practices to manage odour include:

• Avoiding certain tasks in high winds and temperatures
• Immediately covering waste on the active face

As part of the detailed design, odour modelling and forecasting will be completed. Based on the results of this study, the Operations Plan will specifically address odour control practices that will be implemented to ensure odours will not be of nuisance to surrounding properties.

4. Will there be increased traffic?

The site is strategically located in proximity to Highway 2 and the primary access to the site will be from the RM road to the north. While users will primarily access the site from the north via Highway 2, it is expected that there will be an increase in traffic on other local roads. 

As part of the detailed design, a traffic impact assessment will be completed to assess the future impacts of the development on the surrounding road network and inform specific upgrades required to address traffic safety.

5. Is an Environmental Assessment required? What environmental approvals are required?

An environmental assessment will be completed prior to the detailed design of the Facility. The Ministry of Environment requires the following two permits:

• Permit to Construct
• Permit to Operate

Additional environmental approvals required will be further identified during detailed design.

6. What material will be accepted at the Facility?

The Facility will accept the following materials:

• Household garbage (standard waste)
• Separated glass, concrete and asphalt
• Wood waste (untreated wood, wood chips, branches and twigs, etc.)
• Special handled wastes (asbestos, medical, etc.)
• Source separated organics
• Scrap metal
• Used oil materials including diesel exhaust fluid containers, oil containers, oil filter and used oil

7. Where will the incoming material come from? Will the Facility accept material from other municipalities?

The Facility will continue to service the City of Moose Jaw, RM of Moose Jaw and surrounding area.

8. What is the size of the Facility?

A conceptual design has been completed and 2 quarter sections (320 acres) are required for the full development of a Facility that will serve the region for 75 years.

9. Where are we in the process?

We are currently completing public and key stakeholder engagement prior to seeking land use approval from the RM of Moose Jaw. Please see the project timeline for more information.

10. What is leachate and how will leachate be managed?

Leachate is liquid which has been in contact with solid waste.  Leachate will be managed using a leachate collection system consisting of perforated pipes at the base of the landfill. The leachate will be transported from the active landfill via a pump station and forcemain to a lined leachate pond for containment and evaporation.

11. Why this location?

The location meets the following criteria:

• Within 2 km of City limits
• Minimum required size – 2 quarter sections (320 acres)
• Good accessibility from a provincial highway
• Follows the required provincial setbacks:
• Residential development, farmsteads, schools, food preparation/ consumption, church, community facility – 500 m
• Surface water – 300 m
• Roadway, cemetery, railway and water pipeline – 100 m
• Waterwells – 450 m
• Transmission lines and pipelines – 30 m
• Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Bird Hazard buffer – 8 km
• 15 Wing Bird Hazard Area – avoids
• Natural and cultural heritage – avoids
• Future land use – compatible
• Soil capability & geology – compatible

12. Will the landfill be lined to protect the environment?

Yes, the landfill will be lined with a composite liner to protect against groundwater contamination and facilitate leachate collection.