Shawnigan Lake contaminated soil dump not allowed

[maryjane48]

The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled against a controversial soil dump above Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, saying the contaminated soil treatment facility is not a permitted use for the property.

In a 38-page decision, Judge Brian MacKenzie ruled the operators, South Island Resource Management, Ltd., were using the property as a landfill — something they contested — and which is not allowed under the regional district's zoning bylaws.

That means no more contaminated soil can be dumped there, though the judge did not require the owner or operator to remove what's already there.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-c ... -1.3501572

[flamingfingers]

^^This contaminated soil was stuff trucked from PORT MOODY!! Why would the Provincial Government approve a dump site above Shawnigan Lake as opposed to a better contained, drier environment anywhere in this vast province that did not pose a threat to water that Shawnigan Lake residents have used as potable water for decades?

Something besides the soil dump stinks!!

[maryjane48]

i thought the lower mainland had toxic disposal

[erinmore3775]

This ruling is an interesting comment on the provincial government approval process. It completely ignores and over rides any local bylaws or concerns. The provincial government was aware of the Regional District's bylaws regarding landfill and the Coho rehabilitation project that was progressing successfully on the nearby Shawnigan Creek. Yet they approved a permit for the 50 year deposition of 100,000 tonnes of contaminated soil. The soil was to as "fill" for the rehabilitation of the depleted quary area. It also appears that the company had no plan to remediate the contaminated soil other than burying it. I just hope the decision stands up during an appeal.

[flamingfingers]

The ChristyLiberals DON'T CARE how their decisions affect the people of BC.

"Let them eat cake!" Or
'Let them drink contaminated water."

Would be interesting to know what kinds of donations to the ChristyLiberal Party got from the proponents.