Residents of a rural Campbell River neighbourhood say they’re concerned about an application for an expanded toxic landfill.
It already takes toxic material from a decommissioned mill nearby but residents say it would double in size and cause all sorts of problems.
“Essentially they’re doubling the size of the landfill and they’re increasing from 75,000 tons a year to 85,000 tons a year of material,” said local resident Timandra Coulter.
The owners of the old Catalyst Mill site own the landfill near Highway 19, which is where toxic material has already been taken during the decommissioning of the mill, but now the company wants to expand.
“And so now it’s actually being viewed as a destination site for all of Vancouver Island and barging it in from Vancouver as well, over water so how can that be safe?” added Coulter.
“The mill is already set up to accept this type of material through the Elk Falls Mill, so they have the infrastructure in place to collect similar types of materials but want to accept it from outside of this area,” said Andy Gaylor, Development Planning Supervisor for the City of Campbell River.
This would cause it to become a commercial venture which would require zoning changes from Agricultural Land Reserve to Industrial.
“600 acres is going to be brought from ALR zoning into Industrial 4 and there’s an entire elk herd that’s back there year-round that will be impacted by this,” said Coulter.
“To me, this should be developed as farmland, this is actually the last little area of hobby farms in Campbell River,” said local resident Corinne Matheson.
Residents who live nearby are also stressing they have environmental concerns.
“My concerns are the toxins in the air, in the water, all around us,” said Barbara MacTavish.
“It’s just an improper area for such a heavy industrial concept and why would the City even consider putting something like that in here?” said Connie Cawley who lives nearby.
Gaylor says the application still needs to pass the first and second reading by city council and, if that happens, the matter would then go to a public hearing.
Local and provincial environmental approvals would also be required.
“So certainly area residents will be notified in the event that this application is scheduled for consideration by council,” said Gaylor.
The residents have started an online petition to oppose the expanded landfill that has garnered over 1650 signatures.
Dean Stoltz
