County considering industrial landfill east of Hussar
By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wheatland County is considering the approval of a new industrial landfill proposed to be sited just east of Hussar.
The proposed 25-hectare landfill would be located just northeast of the intersection of Highways 56 and 561, about 1.6 kilometres (km) east of Hussar.
If approved, the landfill would accept non-dangerous oilfield waste and non-hazardous industrial solid waste, exclusively. These materials are generated in the oil and gas industry from drilling, operations and decommissioning activities. Residential and municipal waste will not be accepted.
The landfill is being proposed by RemedX Remediation Services Inc., a Calgary-based remediation and reclamation, technical services and waste management company that has operated since 1997.
Wheatland County’s land use bylaws do not include landfill as a use. As a result, RemedX is applying for a direct control district for the proposed development. On June 16, Wheatland County council passed the first reading of a bylaw to amend the county’s land use bylaw from agricultural district general to a new direct control district for the purposes of the landfill development.
County staff is recommending restricting the development permit to a period of five years. If the renewal application matches the initial application, if the application is made prior to permit expiry, and there are no complaints or enforcement orders related to the landfill, the county’s development officer will review and approve a renewal.
The active landfill area will be required to be set back from existing and proposed roads by a minimum of 30-metres from the property line, if approved. In addition, berming and landscaping shall be required to screen the site from public roadways. The development permit application will also require RemedX to provide a plan to prevent or limit the impacts of all planned activities there, including noise and dust production.
The proposed landfill requires approval by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA). Its construction and operation is subject to regulatory review and approval by AEP in accordance with EPEA and the associated Activities Designation Regulation. RemedX is also required to submit a monitoring program plan, including groundwater monitoring.
RemedX operates a similar landfill development in Brazeau County (The Breton Class II Landfill), located approximately 1.5 km to the northeast of the town of Breton. No complaints or enforcement issues have arisen since the facility opened in April 2018, according to county administration.
A public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18 in Hussar, time and location to be confirmed.