PRRD considers amending waste management plan on evaluation of future landfill sites

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Peace River district is considering amending its waste management plan to make it easier to evaluate new landfill sites in the region.

According to a May 2nd media release, the Peace River Regional District (PRRD) will consider an amendment to its Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (RSWMP).

The RSWMP was first developed in 1996 and last updated in 2021 to determine how solid waste and recycling is managed in the Peace region over the next 15 years.

According to the district, the amendment will create a “future facilities” section in the RSWMP, allowing new potential sites to be evaluated. 

“The amendment supports Strategy 12 of the current RSWMP, which focuses on assessing long-term disposal options,” said the PRRD release. 

Strategy 12 monitors three of the PRRD’s active landfills.

The district also explained the amendment would not affect any facility decisions, such as about  the Chetwynd landfill. 

“No decisions have been made regarding landfill expansion, new landfill locations or conversion to transfer stations,” said the PRRD release. 

The PRRD said the Chetwynd landfill could be full by 2030, and the site must be considered for expansion, relocation or closure. 

“A separate public engagement process will occur for any work associated with the siting of a

potential new landfill or transfer station within the Chetwynd area,” said the release. 

This comes after the district reviewed a report in March about the disposal of the workers’ camp located at the new Site C hydroelectric dam, and the capacities at its landfills. 

More information on the amendment can be found here. 

Feedback can be submitted to the district until June 23rd by emailing environmental.services@prrd.bc.ca.