Work on remediating the former Chaffey Landfill — located behind the Huntsville Fairgrounds and adjacent to nearby wetlands — has begun.
Engineering consultant WSP Inc. was hired by the District of Muskoka to come up with a plan to address “non-compliant surface water quality criteria adjacent to the nearby wetland. These impacts have been linked to leachate generation and discharges to the wetlands,” states a report on the issue by District Manager of Environmental Compliance Jamie Delaney.
Former site of Chaffey Landfill delineated in green.
Azimuth Environmental Inc. was retained to evaluate and prepare the design and tender document, based on its own investigations as well as the remediation options presented by the engineering consultants. The remediation plan is a two-phased approach. Fowler Construction, the only bidder, was awarded Phase 1 of the project for roughly $327,210 excluding HST. Its work will involve addressing infiltration on the top layer of the landfill area to “decrease the permeability of the cover material and set surface gradients in this area to promote runoff,” according to Delaney’s report.
The report also states that following the completion of Fowler’s work, WSP Inc. and District staff will monitor the site “and determine the timing and appropriate approach for the Phase Two (2) works. This may include groundwater diversion and landfill gas mediation systems.” The total expected cost of Phase 1 is $403,000. The report also notes that Phase 2, if implemented in its entirety, could cost about $200,000.
Fowler Construction began work on the site in early September and ceased operations during the fall fair. Fowler’s work is anticipated to be completed November 30, 2017.
There was speculation by area residents that work had begun on one or both of two proposed subdivisions in close proximity to the former landfill. One (known as the Bliss proposal) calls for a phased development of 31 single residential lots, 14 lots with semi-detached dwellings as well as an apartment block, while the other (known as the Williamson proposal) involves 25 single residential lots. Both subdivisions would have entrances off Ravenscliffe Road, which will also involve interior municipal streets, if and when the developments take place. Final approvals have yet to be granted for either draft of subdivision, according to District Manager of Planning Melissa Halford.
Both draft plans of subdivision proposed off Ravenscliffe Rd. are next to the decommissioned Chaffey Landfill.
The Chaffey Landfill, formerly owned and operated by the Town of Huntsville, ceased operations in 1982. The District took over responsibility for the site in 2014.
You can find Delaney’s full report here.
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Well, finally some real information on the mess on Ravenscliffe Road. One does wonder where all that probably contaminated fill is ending up?