Solid Waste Strategy - locations for proposed facilities (P.45-2006) – amendments

STATES OF JERSEY

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SOLID WASTE STRATEGY: LOCATIONS FOR PROPOSED FACILITIES (P.45/2006) – AMENDMENTS

Lodged au Greffe on 1st June 2006 by Deputy R.C. Duhamel of St. Saviour

STATES GREFFE

SOLID WASTE STRATEGY: LOCATIONS FOR PROPOSED FACILITIES (P.45/2006) – AMENDMENTS ____________

1. In paragraph (a), for the words"toagree that the proposed Energy from Waste Plant" substitute the words "to refertotheirAct dated 13th July 2005inwhich they agreed that the then Environment and Public ServicesCommitteebecharged to investigate fully alternative andconventionaltechnologiesto provide thefinaldisposalroute for theresidualwaste remaining followingtheimplementationof the systems and facilities agreed for the recycling and compostingofwaste,andchargedthe then Committee to recommend a preferred solutionfor a replacementof the Bellozanneincineratortothe States with an accompanying cost/benefit analysis, environmentaland health impact assessment no later than December 2008; and to agree that any such technologies for the final disposalroutefortheresidualwaste".
2. In paragraph (a), for the words"EnvironmentalImpactAssessment" substitute the words"afavourable Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment, to bereceived and endorsedby the States,".
3. In paragraph (b) for the words"toagree that the proposed enclosed "in-vessel" Composting Facility" substitute the words "to refer to their Act dated 13th July 2005 in which they agreed that the then Environmentand Public ServicesCommittee be charged toprovide a moderncomposting facility for recycling of garden andgreenwaste, by 2007;andto agree that any such moderncompostingfacility".
4. In paragraph (b), for the words"EnvironmentalImpactAssessment" substitute the words"afavourable Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment, to bereceived and endorsedby the States,".

DEPUTY R.C. DUHAMEL OF ST. SAVIOUR

REPORT

There are two themes to this amendment.

P.45/2006 as worded by the Minister for Transport and Technical Services conveys an inaccurate interpretation of the States decision made in July 2005.

Paragraphs (1) and (3) place the original proposition in the standard format used when referring to previous States' decisions, thereby removing the inaccuracy of the original wording.

P.45/2006 refers to Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out for the consideration of the Minister of Planning and Environment as part of the planning process.

Paragraphs (2) and (4) seek to widen the extent of the research that needs to be undertaken to assess the impact of placing all such facilities at La Collette and to allow the States to debate these findings.

The usual EIA addresses the impact and proposed mitigation of impacts of any development on humans, flora, fauna, soil, water, air, climate, landscape, interaction between any of these, material assets and cultural heritage.

A Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal builds on the concept of an EIA but sets the development in a wider framework, which considers social and economic factors in addition. It also looks at secondary, cumulative, synergistic, short, medium, long-term, permanent and temporary, positive and negative effects and enables a structured, balanced approach to decision-making.

La Collette represents a valuable Island resource which should not be squandered.

The States must be sure that the proposed use is compatible with other future demands.

Such issues include –

• a y e t to be agreed mineral strategy with importation of materials to La Collette,

• c o n t inued future reclamation (La Collette 3?) to deal with inert waste,

• i m p r oved harbour facilities including deep water berths for cruise liners and other large vessels,

• t o u ri sm potential of the Old Port and Commercial Buildings,

• r e g e neration of  Havre des Pas as a seaside area,

• n e w road networks through built up residential/tourism areas,

• i n c re ased traffic generation across the town;

• i m p a ct on existing commercial/industrial users (fuel farm, .),

• e x p a nsion of marine industry or other light industrial uses.

In essence  a  Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability  Appraisal will provide the States  with sufficient information to determine the suitability of siting all waste facilities at La Collette.

Financial and manpower implications

The additional cost of the SEA/SA should be minimal as an EIA study was planned in any event.

However, the cost of any detrimental impact in terms of poor location choice could be significant.

For example, the report of the T&TS does not refer to any additional cost for new road infrastructure. This could easily wipe out the unquantified savings that T&TS suggest.