A landfill decommissioning project well underway by the RM of Excelsior has been approved for substantial funding.

The federal and provincial governments announced in late April they'll combine to fork out over $487,000 for the initiative, with the Canadian Government paying 55 per cent of that amount. Leaving the RM with a bill of about $180,000.

Harold Martens, the RM of Excelsior's reeve, said they often apply for grants to help fund a multitude of projects.

"When they come in, we're pretty happy about that," he said. "It will save the taxpayers quite a bit of money."

The 3.5-hectare landfill hasn't been operational in two years with the RM electing to have Triways Disposal shuttle the garbage to Swift Current for $2,200-2,500 monthly. In the meantime, it's allowed the RM of Excelsior time to map out the reclamation project and hire a consultant.

Before the lot is mostly turned into pasture land an environmental assessment will be performed. A chunk of the property will still serve as a recycling and garbage site.

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"It will be seeded back to grass covering all the landfill that we had there before," he said. "It's part of our small community pasture that the RM owns, we'll just fence it off and let the cows graze on it." 

Martens believes removing the landfill situated about five kilometres northwest of Rush Lake is long overdue.

"For years the people of the municipality could deliver garbage there without any cost at all but now we have to pay for it," he said. "It's something we have to do and we want to get it done."  

The entire project is about three years from completion.

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