Rankin Inlet (Aug 16/06) -The delay in opening the new municipal waste facility in Rankin Inlet is being used to ensure the job is done right the first time, said the assistant deputy minister for Community and Government Services.

Hamlet employees Jose Paniyuk and Paul Anawak transport garbage to the dump in Rankin Inlet this past week. The hamlet hopes to have delivery on its new municipal garbage truck by the time the new waste facility opens in Rankin. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Shawn Maley said when the project first began about four years ago, its focus was on making improvements to the existing dump.

He said a Transport Canada zoning issue prohibiting the proposed upgrades was responsible for shifting the focus to a new facility.

The new dumpsite is located about eight kilometres outside the community along the Dianne Trail.

"Once we started in that direction, our focus, right from the outset, was to cross our T's and dot our I's in getting a new dump in the best available spot and making sure everything was taken care properly before we actually opened the facility," said Maley.

"You cannot be licensed for two operational dumps at the same time.

"Once you open the new one, the old one closes and you're stuck with it."

Maley said while the delay cannot go on indefinitely, his department hasn't been pushing the issue because the old site still meets community requirements.

He said there are still some minor deficiencies being cleaned up on the project and a reclamation plan for the old dump still needs to be filed before it can be closed.

Talks have begun with an environmental firm to assess what's contained in the old dump.

"We have $300,000 set aside to kick start a reclamation project at the old dump, which, obviously, won't be enough to cover the entire cost.

"But we hope to run the reclamation project over a couple of years so we can get started right away once we know all that has to be done.

"It's not just the hamlet and the territory involved when it comes to the old dump.

"God only knows what's been dumped in there during the past 50 years."

The municipality will be the operator of the new dump and hamlet council would still like to see the road leading to the site upgraded.

Maley said because there's no environmental order to close the old dump, he wants to take as much time as he can to ensure everyone's comfortable with the final scenario.

He said that may also include training sessions on proper dump-maintenance procedures.

"We would also like to work with the community to develop policy around managing the wastesite so we don't have garbage blowing all over the place.

"Because there's no urgency in terms of closing the old dump at this point in time, we want to make sure everything's done correctly before we say we're open.

"That being said, it is time to get together with the hamlet to identify more stringent time lines for the opening, and the action plans associated with that."

Maley guarantees a proper management plan will be in place from the first day the new site opens.

He said garbage will be segregated at the new facility and access restricted.

"Proper waste management is already being done effectively in the Kivalliq.

"Baker Lake is one municipality that does a great job in managing its dump.

"That pays Baker big dividends in not having to deal with the issues other hamlets have to contend with due to a poorly managed waste site.

"The old dump has been managed poorly since the day it opened in Rankin, but that will change with the new facility."

Maley said none of the issues causing the delay in opening the new dump are the fault of the project's original contractor.

He said the local firm hired (Ferguson Lake Lodge) did an admirable job on a big project.

"Yes, there were some problems, but we knew there would probably be some hiccups along the way when we made the decision to go with a local contractor.

"But, at the end of the day, it's a nice job. The berms are good and the fence and road are straight.

"In short, I'm happy with the job done on the project."