Process Overview
The journey towards achieving an operational IWMF on the site includes many steps and approval processes.
The first step is at the municipal level, followed by subsequent approval processes at the provincial and municipal levels.
The following are some of the requirements and milestones in the approval process:
MUNICIPAL LEVEL
Redesignation & Regulatory Process
The first step is to redesignate the proposed IWMF site from Local Rural Commercial and Agriculture districts to Direct Control (DC) districts, which requires a detailed planning approvals process at the municipal level with Kneehill County.
Concurrent to the land use redesignation, a Master Site Development Plan (MSDP) is submitted. The MSDP guides various aspects of development. The full MSDP document is available through Kneehill County offices.
This image demonstrates the hierarchy of documents that establish the planning policy framework and inform the development of this project.
PROVINCIAL LEVEL
Approval Process
Upon municipal approval of the land use redesignation, WCC will seek approval at the provincial level for the next steps in the process.
The IWMF project will need to meet provincial regulatory standards, which is summarized in the following graphic and described below:
Accountability & Regulation
The IWMF must comply with municipal and provincial regulations to ensure its operations are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. Provincial regulatory requirements are extensive and will hold WCC accountable for aspects of the project related to siting, design, construction, operation, monitoring and closure. The Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), the Alberta Water Act and the Standards for Landfills in Alberta are amongst the key provincial regulatory reference documents for projects of this type.