Plans for a 220-hectare landfill have outraged residents of Danford Lake over concerns of increased truck traffic and the potential for toxic leaks.
A citizens coalition said there was already too much truck traffic on Highway 301. They estimate a dump would add a truck every three to six minutes, said spokesperson Michele Borchers.
The landfill would handle Gatineau’s garbage in the future. Garbage from the city, with a population 230,000, is currently hauled 140 km east to Lachute.
The Lachute landfill will be open for another 30 years, but the city has already begun a preliminary search for a replacement. Danford Lake is about 100 km northwest of Ottawa.
The coalition is concerned solvents could leak into the pristine Kazabazua river, where Pierre Trudeau was known to paddle.
The area is popular among nature lovers and cottagers, and the nearby Picanoc River is popular with whitewater enthusiasts.
However, Joseph Squitti, the mayor of Alleyn and Cawood municipality, supports the landfill.
Squitti said the dump would bring in close to $400,000 per year and would allow the municipality to avoid future tax increases.
There are only about 700 ratepayers in the municipality, and about 165 year-round residents.
More than 20 studies must be done before any site is chosen.