CPC Landfill in good shape

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

At the invitation of MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 Councillor and Landfill Chair Terry Yagos I attended a meeting of the Crowsnest/Pincher Creek Landfill Association Board last month, to better understand the manner in which this often overlooked but very important facility is managed and operated.


According to Yagos the landfill faces many changes over the next 20 years, particularly when it comes to recycling. The remaining life of the facility is projected to exceed 25 years.  Recycling is expected to make 20 to 30 %  positive difference in volumes and expense going forward.

As the name suggests, the CPCLA is a regional entity that serves the Town of Pincher Creek, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, the Village of Cowley, and the MD of Pincher Creek #9.  It draws its board members from those communities, and the present board consists of:

Terry Yagos, MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 (Chair)
Brian Gallant, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Garry Hackler, Village of Cowley
Jerry Lonsbury, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Siegbert Gail, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass
Lorne Jackson, Town of Pincher Creek

Emile Saindon is the Landfill Manager and Linda Wollman is the Office Administrator.  Both were in attendance at the meeting I attended.  Lorne Jackson and Garry Hackler were absent.

Recycling
Recycling initiatives have transformed how many tons of waste are dealt with at the landfill. Separating waste into various recyclable categories means a lot less is buried and thus rendered valueless.  The Association recently applied for a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant to build a recycling building.  That grant was denied but they are going to reapply.  The board stressed that they wanted to work with Pincher Creek's commercial recycling operation, not against it.

Incinerator on wish list
Cost estimates for an incinerator were recently provided by Landfill Manager Emile Saindon.  According to his March 13 report incinerators cost $1,000,000 and up, with a minimum operating cost of $48 a tonne, depending on the type of incinerator.  "Beef and other carcasses, silage bags, twine, and other undesireables in the landfill could be processed at a rate of 10 to 20 metric tonnes per 24 hours of operation," according to the minutes from that meeting. "Regular domestic wastes destined for the landfill could also be diverted for incineration."

"Further investigation and discussions will be necessary before proceeding with an investment of this nature."

Good neighbours
Directly to the south of the landfill is the Oldman River Gun Club.  Emile Saindon arranged with the gun club to help them realign their berms using the landfill's earth movers so that the range setup is safer in relationship to the landfill.

Service plus program
The landfill had "exceptional" revenue last year and decided to "give it back" in the form of a community cleanup initiative, which took place last week in Lundbreck and is scheduled for May 27 in Beaver Mines, for June 14/15 in Pincher Creek (bin location to be Ranchland Mall), and in Crowsnest Pass June 21/22 (bin location MDM Centre), with bins being accessible from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Pincher Creek and area citizens are encouraged to avail themselves of the E-Waste/Toxic Roundup and Re-use Fair to be held Saturday June 15 at the Ranchland Mall parking lot.  Click here for more information about that event.

Scholarships
Environmental Science and Technology scholarships are offered by the landfill association.  Click here and scroll down for more information about criteria and the application process.


Related links:
E-Waste/Toxic Roundup and Re-use Fair to be held June 15
www.crowsnestpincherlandfill.com
Crowsnest Pass/ Pincher Creek Landfill Association information
Landfill has profitable year, plans paving (2012 story)