Concerns expressed over storage site

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/07/2016 (3617 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A meeting at the Caboto Centre in Winnipeg saw numerous Headingley area residents express their concerns over a proposed bulk storage site.

About 40 people attended the July 21 public meeting arranged by Prairieview Terminals to address concerns relating to the company’s proposed bulk storage and used oils materials terminal.

The company, which operates in Alberta under the name of Mountainview Terminals, is awaiting provincial approval for a hazardous waste receiver licence allowing them to proceed with construction at 6 Sabrina Way in the RM of Headingley within an area zoned for industrial use.

The facility would contain up to 18 120,000 litre above-ground storage tanks, to be leased to companies wanting to collect and temporarily store hazardous liquid waste such as used motor oil, antifreeze and aircraft de-icing fluid.

While Prairieview Terminals director Ron Fehr attended the meeting, an explanation of the project was given by Paula Sdao, an engineer with True Grit Consulting, the company hired to oversee the project.

“The facility is designed to temporarily store liquid waste,” Sdao said. “It’s not a hazardous waste disposal facility. They will lease space to licensed third-party operators.”

She said the Headingley location was selected as the best site because of its general industrial zoning and the distance between it and the closest residence, which is 1.5 kilometres away in Charleswood’s  Westdale area.  

Sdao said the Headingley facility will operate in a manner similar to existing bulk storage businesses located in Winnipeg’s Linden Woods and Shaughnessy Heights neighbourhoods, and that those facilities are respectively just 378 metres and 158 metres away from homes.

“The proposed site is three to five times farther away,” she said.

Site assessment shows the land at 6 Sabrina Way to have a clay base of at least eight metres and no groundwater was encountered at that depth.

“Clay is a natural barrier. It’s perfect,” Sdao said.

She said that sewage and storm water at the site will be collected and taken away to prevent any runoff.

No burning will be done at the site. Sdao said staff will be trained to deal with hazardous waste handling and no PCB waste will be accepted.

Sdao’s presentation was created to answer some specific concerns expressed by Headingley residents who sent in comments prior to July 5 to Manitoba Sustainable Development in response to Prairieview Terminals’ application for a hazardous waste receiver licence.

Sustainable Development’s Environmental Approvals director Tracy Braun was at the meeting to explain the process of granting a licence for this type of bulk storage business. She said the licence-holder must follow conditions determined by the provincial government that are designed to offer protection for local residents and the environment.

“I went to this site in-person,” she said. “It’s probably the best location for this type of site there is.”

Braun said all those who sent in comments with contact information will be notified of the province’s decision on, and terms relating to, Prairieview Terminals’ licence.

A few Headingley residents at the meeting said they just found out about Prairieview’s proposed facility and asked why the meeting wasn’t held in Headingley at a time more convenient for working people, rather than at Winnipeg’s Caboto Centre at 5 p.m.

“We did try to have the meeting in Headingley,” Braun said, adding no site was available.

She was critical of a Clean Headingley website created on June 22 that contained information on possible health and safety threats posed by Prairieview Terminals’ facility. It instructed people to send their concerns to Sustainable Development by July 4.

“Someone — we don’t know who — put up a lot of misinformation on a website and spread a lot of fear,” Braun said.

The website’s author Bob Axford, a Winnipeg resident, who identified himself as a voluntary advocate, admitted responsibility. He said any concerns about misinformation should be addressed to him.

Headingley council granted a conditional use permit to Prairieview Terminals on Feb. 9, 2016. Deputy mayor John Mauseth and councillor John Van Massenhoven attended the July 21 meeting, and said they had received very few comments from residents about the company’s prospective operations.

Trish Smerchanski, of Headingley, and Rick Smith, who lives in the RM of Cartier near Wilkes Road, said they are worried about the potential for a fire, hazardous waste spill or explosion, as the Prairieview site is fairly close to a CN Rail line. Sdao said the rail line is 684 metres north of the site and there are no plans for a spur line that would allow the delivery of liquid waste by rail.

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement director Don Labossiere said “there’s a risk to everything,” but there haven’t been any large spills or fires at the four similar bulk storage facilities in Winnipeg.

He said hazardous liquids are already being transported through Headingley by rail and truck, and petroleum storage tanks are located much closer to residential areas than the Prairieview Terminals site.

Headingley resident Jeff Appelt said, as the father of three children with two more on the way, he has no issue with Prairieview’s proposal.

If the provincial government grants Prairieview Terminals a licence, it will be posted on Sustainable Development’s public registry for a 30-day review period during which time public comment will be received. Fehr previously said he hopes to start operating this fall.

Facebook.com/TheHeadlinerWPG
Twitter: @CanstarHeadline