October 26, 2021 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Buffalo River Dene Nation Solid Waste Transfer Station , located on Buffalo River Dene Nation IR 193 is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by November 24, 2021 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
SK Region, Environment Unit
1827 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4P 2S9
aadnc.isc-skenv.aandc@canada.ca

The Proposed Project 

Buffalo River Dene Nation Solid Waste Transfer Station 

This project is to construct a new direct haul solid waste transfer station (SWTS) for Buffalo River Dene Nation (BRDN), south of the existing uncontrolled landfill in NE-33-79-19-W3M located approximately 4.5 km south of the main community of Dillon, Saskatchewan and east of Highway No. 924.  The solid waste transfer station has an estimated 20-year lifespan design. Strategies to remediate and prepare for the existing landfill closure have also been evaluated in the scope of work.

New infrastructure includes an access road, full enclosure fence with gate, operator building with washroom and office, equipment storage building, grade separated WTS with roll-off (RO) bins for construction and demolition (C&D) waste and some residential waste, one RO bin for metals, small bin at entrance for after hours drop-off, and a shipping container for hazardous waste. Additional bins for recyclable material will be provided as required.

Proposed activities include:
•    Planning for a waste transfer station approximately 1.6 ha in size and an access road from the existing landfill road.
•    Clearing and grubbing of proposed site (partially completed in winter 2021). 
•    Tender Contract (Winter/Spring 2022, pending ISC approval)
•    Construction of access road, drive lanes, bin storage pad, operator and equipment storage buildings (Spring/summer/fall 2022). Topsoil stripping to be repurposed for landscaping and regeneration purposes.
•    Construction waste removal with operation to immediately follow (Fall/winter 2022).

Vegetation will be removed and used for firewood or composted at the nearby landfill.  
Construction waste will be removed and hauled to a Regional Solid Waste Management Facility.
During operations, hazardous waste material will be stored in shipping containers until ready for transport to southern facilities for recycling or disposal.