Waskatenau Nuisance Grounds Site Assessment

Smoky Lake County will conduct a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for a 2.63 acre former landfill site. This study will be the first step in returning the land to productive use and lifting a provincially regulated setback that is currently preventing the County from developing within 300 metres of the area. This setback area is of particular interest to the County as it has been identified as a prime location for a proposed new school. Previously, the subject site was used as a municipal landfill, where various household and agricultural wastes, car parts, and other waste were discarded and burned. Heavy metals, dioxins and furans are suspected to be located within the burn pit portion of the site. The subject site was also used as a public works yard by the provincial government during which time it is believed that the site became contaminated from hydrocarbons leaking from heavy machinery and equipment. It is also possible that the site has been further contaminated by hydrocarbons leeching from the Petro Canada gas station located on the north side of site. The County will identify the spread, type, and level of contamination by drilling boreholes, collecting soil samples and analyzing them for various potential contaminants. With these results, the County will be able to later formulate a remediation plan and determine whether the Province is responsible for part of the contamination. Additional benefits will include; increased tax base and employment through redevelopment opportunities, mitigation of public health concerns, prevention of leaching of contaminants to agricultural land surrounding the site and the possibility of risk management measures that could avoid sending waste to another landfill and reduce GHG emissions from the associated transportation. The study is linked to the Smoky Lake County Municipal Development Plan and Integrated Community Sustainability Plan which share common practices of environmental stewardship and sustainable development in all areas without unduly impacting ecosystem health. The County will continue to engage the public, municipal and provincial partners and private stakeholders as part of the methodology for implementation. Results of the Phase II ESA will be presented to Smoky Lake County Council to guide decisions for next steps in reclamation and redevelopment. This will be the first Phase II ESA undertaken by Smoky Lake County and is expected to guide future reclamation projects and potentially lead to environmental policy development for the County and its regional partners. The County has committed to sharing the results and lessons learned of remediating and reclaiming former landfill sites and their surrounding areas which could provide knowledge value for rural communities burdened with brownfield sites. (Project description from original funding application)