Public Notice

Notice of intent to make a determination

Buffalo River Dene Nation Solid Waste Remediation – Public Comments Invited

 

June 15, 2026 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Buffalo River Dene Nation Solid Waste Remediation project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

 

Written comments must be submitted by July 15, 2026 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2B6
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The proposed project involves the cleanup and eventual closure of former solid waste dump sites located on Buffalo River Dene Nation (BRDN) reserve lands. The sites include the community's current active landfill, a number of former landfills, a former lagoon cell, which was formerly decommissioned and turned into an automotive disposal location, and a former sawmill site. The sites are generally surrounded by boreal forest. Supporting studies have been completed at all of the sites.

Surficial waste and partially visible shallow solid waste identified at sites DS1, DS2, LF4/DS3, LF3/DS4, DS5, and DS6, as well as buried waste identified at DS2, will be removed and hauled to the current active landfill for proper disposal. Easily sortable recyclables or divertible waste will be separated and disposed of accordingly. Additional landfill cover material will be added to the existing cover at one of the sites (LF2) to prevent ponding/infiltration and surface run off through the buried waste, as well as to protect from human and ecological contact.

Following clean-up, access to the locations where waste has been accumulating will be blocked or removed, if possible. Where buried waste is left in place, the site will be legally surveyed and identified on any community land use plans. As BRDN intends to continue use of the current landfill, controls will be put in place to prevent the burning of household waste.