Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Policy on Temporary Permits for the Landfill Sites

Individuals submitting applications to CFIA for temporary permits will have to meet the following minimum requirements. In the submitted action plan the items in the landfill checklist not meeting the prescribed requirements should be clearly indicated with an X in the un-acceptable column.

To obtain a temporary permit a person or an establishment may apply to CFIA by enclosing the following documents:

1. The completed landfill checklist

The items shown underneath corresponding to the landfill checklist in the alphabetical order D, E,G, I are mandatory; however any other items which can not be addressed at this time should have an action plan. The action plan needs to be completed in the stipulated period as mentioned in the enclosing letter addressed to the CFIA. If the action plan is not completed by the due date the facility / landfill site will not be in a position to receive the SRM under the new enhanced feed ban regulations. After the expiration date of the temporary permit the landfill site should not be receiving SRM.

Please refer to the CFIA website for the required checklist:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/man/bseesb/4e.shtml#m4.8

2. The completed application with target dates for those items which can not be completed now. The completion dates should also be mentioned in the comments column of the checklists.

3. An enclosing letter suggesting the possible shortcomings and the target dates for completion.

Note: CFIA may issue the permit to a demarcated area in a landfill site which will meet the requirement listed bellow.

The landfill demarcated area will be shown on the site plan by Global Positioning System (GPS).

Liner: (D)
The liner for a landfill and the associated leachate containment systems may be constructed of natural clay, engineered clay-compacted soil, rock, geomembranes (industry-approved plastic sheeting or high density polyethylene) or a combination there of, such that the hydraulic conductivity is less than or equal to 1 x 10-7 cm/s. Minimum bottom slopes of the liner are to be 2 per cent on controlling slopes and 0.5 per cent on the remaining slopes. More complex liner systems may incorporate further protective layers, such as sand or gravel and Geotextile mats.

Landfill Cap: (E)
A barrier made of soil alone or in combination with a geomembrane is placed over the landfill site to limit downward movement of moisture. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the cap must be less than or equal to 1 x 10-7 cm/s if the cap is not mounded to prevent pooling or ponding or the cap is demonstrated to have equivalent functionality (i.e. a stabilized layer that prevents rain from intruding and forming leachate and that promotes rain run off). Examples of acceptable caps include: a 60 cm thick layer of compacted natural or amended soil; a geomembrane and a soil layer of reduced thickness.

A drainage layer commonly consists of a minimum of 30 cm of compacted sand, and a top vegetation/soil layer has a minimum of 60 cm of soil graded at a slope between 3 per cent and 5 per cent with vegetation or an armoured surface.

Ground water Protection: (G)
The seasonal high elevation of groundwater shall be maintained at a minimum of 500 mm below the lowest point of the liner. Groundwater lowering systems may provide for positive drainage of the groundwater away from the landfill area.

Leachate Control System: (I)
The landfill must have a leachate collection network that is hydraulically separate from the landfill's storm water system. This system should:

a) function year-round;
b) provide a way to monitor flow;
c) offer adequate storage capacity, and
d) provide appropriate accessibility for inspection and monitoring.

The integrity of the leachate system is important as a part of the functioning of the overall landfill. If a problem occurs with leachate collection, results may affect the integrity of the containment of the entire landfill and thus of the SRM. Leachate generated at landfills receiving SRM that has been treated to meet municipal/provincial discharge standards will not be subject to further CFIA controls.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Bachir Djillali
Senior Staff Veterinarian
Disease Control
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0Y9
Telephone: 613-221-4211
Email: Bachir.Djillali@inspection.gc.ca

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