Cache Creek landfill expansion gets green light

The B.C. government is giving the green light to expand a landfill at the southern interior town of Cache Creek that takes much of the garbage from Metro Vancouver.

The province has granted an environmental certificate to the village and Bellkorp Environmental Services for the $100-million project, which will add 42 hectares to the dump and extend its life by up to 25 years.

An environmental assessment found the project is not likely to have any major negative effects if the operator follows several measures to contain the garbage and monitor the site, B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner said in a news release Wednesday.

The measures include using a leak-detection system that exceeds regulatory requirements, expanding a groundwater monitoring program and improving the collection of landfill gas for possible conversion into liquefied natural gas.

The community's next job is persuading Metro Vancouver to continue as a client after directors voted to consider a plan to build a series of waste incinerators in the region, said Cache Creek Mayor John Ranta.

Two local First Nations were in favour of the extension, but the Nlaka'pamux Tribal Council was opposed and has taken the issue to the B.C. Supreme Court.