Site Assessment

(draft) As part of the initial site permitting process (and every year after that), the Lambton Facility assesses the potential and real impacts of our landfill operations.

The Initial Permitting Process, Cell 18

In order to obtain Ontario Ministry of the Environment approval to continue landfill operations on 13 hectares (Cell 18) of our 120-hectare site, Lambton conducted a complete Environmental Assessment from May, 1994 to September, 1997.

Conducted under Ontario's Environmental Assessment Act, this assessment identified and evaluated a wide range of potential environmental and social impacts associated with landfill operations at the Lambton Facility. Alternate locations were also evaluated.

The extensive public consultation and information program included:

  • Monthly meetings by volunteer members from our community advisory committee
  • A series of advertised public information meetings and consultations
  • Community opinion surveys
  • One-on-one meetings with concerned and interested local residents and groups
  • Informational mailings
  • Consultation with close to 20 federal, provincial, regional and municipal government agencies

The entire assessment is documented in a five-volume report, the "Landfill Continuation Environmental Assessment." Copies are available for review at the Lambton Facility, at the offices of the Ministry of the Environment, Sarnia District and at the Township of St. Clair.

Annual Evaluations of Landfill Operations

Every year since 1986, the Lambton Facility has conducted a comprehensive review of its landfill operations.

The Annual Landfill Report includes:

  • Results and analysis of all groundwater, landfill cap integrity, surface water, air quality and biomonitoring programs
  • Summaries by type, quantity and origin of waste received for landfilling and pretreatment
  • A list of rejected loads along with the reasons for rejection
  • A report on landfilling activities (including total capacity used and remaining), the extent of perimeter berm development, and notations of anomalies discovered during excavation
  • A summary and analysis of historical data, showing trends and future implications

The annual report is presented to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for review. It is also presented to Lambton's Community Liaison and Advisory Committee, which is comprised of neighbours and representatives from St. Clair Township, and the Ministry of the Environment. Learn more about the annual landfill reports.