Biosolids Energy Centre Siting Open House Sessions

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Monday, June 17th, 2013

Members of the public are invited to attend open house sessions on the Biosolids Energy Centre (BEC) siting as part of the Capital Regional District�s (CRD) Core Area Wastewater Treatment Program (the Program).

In 2006, the Minister of Environment directed the CRD to set a schedule for the provision of secondary wastewater treatment. Accordingly, in 2010, the CRD Board and the Minister of the Environment approved the Liquid Waste Management Plan Amendment #8. The approved Plan designates the Hartland Landfill North area as the location of a BEC for the treatment of sludge generated from the McLoughlin Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). In response to public concerns about the length of the pipeline, elevation gain and the number of pump stations required to transfer sludge from the McLoughlin WWTP to the Hartland BEC, the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee directed staff to search out other potential sites for the BEC. While a number of potential sites were evaluated, and in some cases attempted to be acquired through negotiations with the land owners, the CRD secured one alternative site at 808 and 836 Viewfield Road in Esquimalt that met the established criteria. The CRD purchased the property in March 2013 with the intention of bringing both sites to the public for their consideration and feedback prior to making the final decision on the BEC site.

The open house sessions will provide an opportunity for the public to obtain information, ask questions of CRD technical staff and express their opinions and concerns about the potential sites. There will be information about the BEC facility, how it works and the candidate sites. It will highlight the benefits and challenges of the two different sites and show the overall costs comparisons.

Residents are invited to attend any of the consultations listed below.
Open House Locations and Dates:

Monday, June 17, 2013, 4�8 pm
Royal Canadian Esquimalt Legion
622 Admirals Road

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 4�8 pm
Greek Community Hall, Main Hall
4648 Elk Lake Drive

Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 4�8 pm
Royal Canadian Esquimalt Legion
622 Admirals Road

Thursday, June 20, 2013, 4�8 pm
Willis Point Community Hall
6933 Willis Point Road

Monday, June 24, 2013, 4�8 pm
Burnside Gorge Community Centre, Activity Centre
471 Cecelia Road

Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 4�8 pm
Oak Bay Windsor Pavilion, Sports Room
2451 Windsor Road

Wednesday, June 26, 2013, 4�8 pm
Juan de Fuca Rec Centre, Lookout Lounge
1767 Island Highway

Thursday, June 27, 2013, 5 � 8pm
Da Vinci Centre , Upper Hall
195 Bay Street

The decision on the BEC siting will be made after the public consultation process is complete. After the open house sessions, a summary report on the public�s feedback will be prepared and members of the public will be invited to address the CRD Board. More information on these sessions will be provided via the website at www.crd.bc.ca/cawtp and to local media as soon as it becomes available.

Once a final decision is made on the BEC siting, the CRD will submit a rezoning application to the municipality. Any change to the current plan, which identities Hartland as the approved BEC, will require approval of a Liquid Waste Management Plan amendment by the Board and the provincial government.

Members of the public are invited to visit http://www.crd.bc.ca/bec for information, updated materials and to provide feedback on the BEC siting.