The implementation plans for the new resource recovery facility in Pender Harbour are starting to come into focus.
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors received a preliminary plan at the Jan. 6 infrastructure services committee meeting. The report shows preliminary cost estimates to create a "one stop drop" resource recovery facility in the area.
Initial cost estimates for the facility came in at $45,225 with an additional $2,530 earmarked for the composting facility that will be included on site.
"The total estimated annual operating cost for both the resource recovery and composting facilities is approximately $48,000," the staff report read. "Most of the cost is tied to debt payments incurred over the first 10 years of operation. In addition to these costs, a budget of approximately $15,000 is suggested for marketing and promotion of the new facility.
The report also noted that the location of the future facility is uncertain. Currently the SCRD has an existing license of occupation at the corner of Garden Bay Road and the road to access the Pender Harbour landfill, which could be used, but no decisions have yet been made.
Illegal dumping
SCRD directors voted to carry over approximately $3,500 to the 2011 budget to complete an inventory of all illegal dump sites on the Coast.
The inventory started in December and will be used to monitor and make plans to dispose of garbage illegally dumped in the woods.
In seven days a total of 140 dump sites were located and documented covering about 350 km of forest service roads from Sprockids Park near Langdale to Homesite Creek in Halfmoon Bay. Of the 140 dump sites found, 50 were considered large, requiring equipment to remove the debris. A total of 35 sites were deemed to be medium in size, requiring a truck and two workers to properly dispose of the garbage. Fifty-five of the sites found are considered small, requiring one person with a truck to clean them up.
Field work is ongoing north of Homesite Creek and a completed inventory and map are anticipated soon. Once the inventory is complete, the SCRD plans to partner with local community groups to clean up the illegal dumpsites.
Solid waste plan
The SCRD is seeking municipal input on the draft solid waste management plan presented in December.
Directors asked staff to send a letter to both municipal councils requesting their comments on the plan by Feb. 15. Staff was also asked to meet with both councils to inform them of the process for developing a management plan.
Once the comments from other local governments are compiled, the SCRD will post a revised draft of the plan on their website for the public to review and comment on before a community engagement/consultation period, which is expected to start in late February and end in mid April. All comments on the plan must be in and any changes made before it is due to submit to the Ministry of Environment for approval in late May.
