Bailey Landfill Greening Project Receives Gas Tax Funding

Project will facilitate future construction of a gas extraction system

Chilliwack, British Columbia, July 24, 2009 – The expansion of the Bailey Sanitary Landfill is being facilitated by an investment of close to $2 million from the federal Gas Tax Fund. The expansion project offers the best solution for Chilliwack's future waste disposal needs, when considering environmental, economic and social costs and benefits.

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon; John Les, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Chilliwack; and UBCM President Robert Hobson joined Sharon Gaetz, Mayor of Chilliwack in announcing the funding earlier today.

“The Government of Canada's Gas Tax Fund supports environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure that contributes to cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Minister Strahl. “Chilliwack has been proactive in its waste management for many years. This project is the first step towards developing a gas extraction system, which is part of the City's plan to establish a long-term waste disposal solution for the community.”

The new expansion, which will extend the life of the landfill by 14 years, will incorporate state of the art controls and design features that will protect groundwater and surface water adjacent to the landfill. The expanded landfill will facilitate the future construction of a gas extraction system, which in turn will control emissions of key greenhouse gases, methane and carbon dioxide. Extending the life of the local landfill significantly reduces emissions of carbon monoxide and other air pollutants that would be generated by trucking waste to a remote site.

“Partnering through programs like the Gas Tax Fund is a great way to maximize resources and give communities the tools they need to achieve sustainable growth,” said MLA Les on behalf of B.C. Minister of Community and Rural Development Bill Bennett. “This project will help Chilliwack meet the day-to-day needs of residents while minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment.”

The project, which began in June, will provide Chilliwack residents with a local solution for managing solid waste generated in the community. The state of the art design can provide the City with the necessary capacity for the disposal of special materials in the event of a major emergency.

“The expansion of the landfill provides for the most responsible approach to waste disposal, that being the management of Chilliwack's waste within our own boundaries,” said Mayor Gaetz. “The expansion will reduce truck travel and provide the necessary scale to justify the future installation of a greenhouse gas management system”.

The Government of Canada's Gas Tax Fund is a tripartite agreement between Canada, British Columbia and UBCM delivering infrastructure funding to local governments for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Canada and British Columbia.

“UBCM is very appreciative of programs like the Gas Tax Fund that provide up to 100% funding for projects,” said UBCM President Robert Hobson. “The expansion of the Bailey Landfill addresses a critical local need with a solution that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from local operations.”

The Bailey Landfill expansion provides a regional benefit to residents from Chilliwack, Kent, Electoral Areas D and E, Harrison Hot Springs and Cultus Lake who all rely on Bailey Landfill as their primary location for waste disposal.

For further information on the Government of Canada's infrastructure investments in British Columbia, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Ted Yeomans
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs
819-997-0002

Chris Day
Press Secretary
Office of Canada's Transport and Infrastructure Minister
613-991-0700

Ministry of Community and Rural Development
250-387-4089

Paul Taylor
Relationships and Communications Advisor
Union of BC Municipalities
250-356-2938

Robert Carnegie
Director of Corporate Services
City of Chilliwack
604-792-9311

Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148