Notice of Commencement of Environmental Assessment: Saugeen Shores Waste Management Plan

The Town of Saugeen Shores (Town) is beginning an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the Environmental Assessment Act for the proposed expansion of the Town’s existing Southampton Landfill.

Project Overview

The purpose of this waste management plan project is to address the problem of diminishing disposal capacity at the Southampton Landfill Site. The goal of the process is to have an approved landfill plan in place and constructed prior to the need, which is suitable for the Town, its residents, and the environment.   

It is expected that the approved capacity at the Southampton Landfill will be exhausted in about 2030. The preferred option for the longterm management of the community’s residual waste is optimization of the existing landfill.  It is proposed to expand the landfill capacity by approximately 725,000 cubic meters.  It is projected that this would extend the sites service life by 40 years, or to 2070.  As shown on the map provided, the proposed landfill expansion can be accommodated at the existing site without the need to acquire additional lands. The environmental management system associated with an expanded landfill footprint would include provisions for a landfill liner and a leachate collection system.

The EA will document the systematic evaluation and assessment of ‘Alternative Methods’ of implementing the proposed landfill expansion by considering various site development options for the physical expansion of the landfill within the 26.3hectare optimization area. At a conceptual level, alternative development methods will include (i) horizontal expansion; (ii) combined horizontal and vertical expansion; and (iii) construction of a separate landfill cell within the optimization area. 

The Process

On February 25, 2026, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved the amended Terms of Reference (ToR) for carrying out an EA for an expansion at the existing Southampton Landfill Site in the Town of Saugeen Shores (Project). A copy of the approved amended Terms of Reference is available at www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/SSWMP.

The approved amended Terms of Reference is also available at the following locations during normal business hours:   

Municipal Office: Town of Saugeen Shores
600 Tomlinson Drive
Port Elgin, ON  N0H 2C0
Tel: 519-832-2008 or 1-866-832-2008 

* Port Elgin Library  
708 Goderich Street
Port Elgin, ON  N0H 2C0
Tel: 519-832-2201 

* Southampton Library
215 High Street  
Southampton, ON  N0H 2L0
Tel: 519-797-3586 

* It is noted that public access computers and wireless internet access are provided at the libraries. A hard copy will be available at the Municipal Office. 

This study will be carried out according to the approved Terms of Reference and the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act.  Results from this study will be documented in an Environmental Assessment, which will be submitted to the Ministry for review.  At that time, the public, agencies, Indigenous communities, and other interested persons will be informed when and where the Environmental Assessment can be reviewed.  

Consultation

Members of the public, agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons are encouraged to actively participate in the planning process by attending consultation opportunities, reviewing the project documentation, sharing information, and providing comments or questions related to the project.  Consultation opportunities are planned throughout the planning process and will be advertised in the Shoreline Beacon and through the Town’s website at www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/SSWMP.

At this time, the Town of Saugeen Shores invites you to review the background reports completed to support the feasibility assessment for the expansion of the Southampton Landfill Site and the Scope of Work which includes the detailed workplans for various technical studies that are planned to be completed in 2026. These have been made available on the project website for review at www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/SSWMP.

If you would like to be added to our project mailing list, have project-related questions, or if you require further information or accommodations, please contact one of the Project Team members listed below: 

GEI Consultants Canada Ltd.
Andrea Nelson, Project Manager
1260 - 2nd Avenue East, Unit 1
Owen Sound, ON  N4K 2J3
sswmp@geiconsultants.com
Tel: 519-376-1805 

Town of Saugeen Shores
Colin Saunders, Project Manager, Capital Projects
600 Tomlinson Drive, Box 820
Port Elgin, ON  N0H 2C0
sswmp@saugeenshores.ca  
Tel: 519-832-2008  Ext.101 

Although comments can be received anytime during the project process, interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments related to the initiation of the EA project and consultation on the EA by April 10, 2026. This Notice is advertised in the Shoreline Beacon and is posted on the Town’s project website, where additional information is provided.  

- This Notice was published on March 10, 2026 - 

All personal information included in a submission - such as name, address, telephone number, and property location - is collected, maintained, and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s.37 of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact the MECPs’ Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 416-314-4075.