The complex situation regarding a possible incinerator to dispose of animal carcasses at the local landfill has hit its climax.

The difficulty of this situation has raised concerns from both the public and the landfill workers.

Councilor and member of the landfill board Dean Ward, says the landfill board directed their administration in 2013 to look at alternatives other than burying animal carcasses, the decision was made to explore adding an incinerator to the landfill.

“In July of last year we applied to add the incinerator to our landfill license, which was approved by Alberta Environment.”

Since that time, a concerned resident and the town of Pincher Creek have filed appeals. With these appeals set to be heard this month, there is currently a waiting period before the results of the appeal are made.

“With a number of changes to the landfill board in the last year it’s become a very contentious issue and unless there is a change of heart in the board, we may not continue with the incinerator regardless of how the appeal is dealt with by Alberta Environment.”

While it currently seems like the incinerator will not be added to the landfill, there are still options for residents looking to dispose of carcasses such as rendering plants in Lethbridge.

In reaching out to Landfill manager Emile Saindon, he says at this point there is nothing he wishes to add due to the decision to move forward being postponed and pointed me to their website for further information.

Ward says the board has also decided that since adding an incinerator doesn’t seem likely at this point, the landfill will only continue to take dead carcasses until March 31, 2019.

“We wanted to give each community the time to look for other options, so that’s why we decided to continue to take the carcasses until the end of March.”

If people have more questions about where this currently sits, they can contact their local municipal representatives.

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