North Coast Regional District looking to update Solid Waste Management Plan

The member communities of North Coast Regional District are looking for a few tweaks to their Solid Waste Management Plan and towards that revision, the NCRD is seeking out the services of a consulting service to review the existing document and make a few modifications to their message for the 1996 plan.

Regional District posted a Request for Proposals notice to the BC Bid website last month, providing a thumbnail sketch for those who many be interested in taking on the project.

The NCRD approved its first SWMP in 1996. Extensive stakeholder consultation was conducted during development of the 1996 SWMP and two (2) local Solid Waste Advisory Committees (SWAC) were formed to advise on implementation. A number of the objectives of the 1996 SWMP have been met through the construction/operation of a landfill, transfer stations and recycling depot facilities on Haida Gwaii, and a regional recycling facility in Prince Rupert. For the purpose of cost recovery for programming, the NCRD is divided into two solid waste service areas: the Island Solid Waste Service Area and Mainland Solid Waste Service Area. 

An update to the SWMP is needed to replace the SWMP adopted in 1996 to enhance existing programs and chart a path forward for the future of solid waste management in the NCRD. The process to develop the new SWMP generally follows the four (4) step process outlined in A Guide to Solid Waste Management Planning (Ministry of Environment, September 2016).

Of note for residents of the Regional District area, is the focus for the update, which will not be expected to make for any changes to policies or create a need for new facilities.

The intent of the updated SWMP is to focus on improving operational efficiency to ensure that facilities and programs run as effectively and efficiently as possible. The NCRD also intends to focus on maintaining and improving relationships with large waste generators and compliance with current product stewardship programs. The NCRD does not expect the updated SWMP to call for new facilities or significant changes to current policies.

The topics of note that Regional District anticipates will be explored in the update include:

Among some of the Scope of work towards the update includes drafting and review of technical memos, hosting Board workshops, administer and lead a series of Open Houses and presentations to member councils of the Regional District as well as to host workshops or meetings with community groups.

The timeline for the delivery of services on the consultation project is as follows:

The Contract with the selected Proponent shall remain in effect until the Services above are completed and all NCRD comments have been addressed. The NCRD anticipates the Services are to be provided within eighteen (18) months or less from the award of the Work, with the aim to be completed by May 2023. The NCRD reserves the right to increase the contract scope.

The Deadline for those with an interest in taking on the update, is set for October 22nd, with Daniel Fish the CAO for Regional District the contact person.

Some notes on the current Solid Waste Management Plan can be explored from the North Coast Regional District Website here.

The BC Bid posting can be reviewed here.

More notes of interest on Regional District themes can be explored from our archive page.