The Saugeen Ojibway First Nation and the Mtis community are requesting a review of the Hanover and Walkerton landfill expansion project.
The eleventh hour request could mean a major set back for the expansion project.
Without the co-operation of the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation and Mtis Community — the Ministry of Environment will hold off on the approval for the landfill expansion.
The Saugeen Ojibway First Nation is calling for an independent Peer Review of the project.
This may mean more studies as well as more costs for the landfill project.
Hanover Councillor Peter Hambly says it’s unfortunate the request came so late in the process.
But Hambly is hopeful the provincial approval will still come in mid June.
Hambly doesn’t know whether the First Nations plan to gather the data themselves or have an independent engineering firm review the current scientific data.
Hambly says talks between the Landfill Committee and the Saugeen Ojibway First Nation and Mtis are ongoing.
To date — the First Nations have not objected to the landfill expansion but they do want to ensure the natural environment is not adversely impacted by the project.
The landfill is located on traditional lands of the First Nation and Mtis people so they have a right to consult on the project.
The Hanover Walkerton landfill only has a few years of life left.