An environmental assessment procedure for siting solid waste disposal sites

Virtually every small community in Saskatchewan has a waste disposal facility. Of the approximately 900 sites, many are improperly operated or poorly sited, with some being considered environmentally hazardous (Dillon and Murray, 1983). This paper discusses a procedure for siting waste disposal sites. The Saskatchewan Department of the Environment, under whose jurisdiction waste management falls, encourages the development of regional sanitary landfills rather than the development of numerous modified landfills. However, the strongly autonomous nature of the prairie community seems to conflict with this end, and department officials seem less than optimistic that any immediate progress will be made in this direction (Clark, 1984). Development is primarily at the local level; thus, it is appropriate that the investigation and decision for a waste disposal site be initiated by those immediately involved in the selection process. Any small municipality desiring to expand or develop landfill facilities has a relatively complex task. ~ The site selection process for the disposal of domestically generated wastes is no longer limited to acquiring the least expensive and most accessible land. Current decisions must take into account and satisfy st