Our community has seen a few minor victories with the District of Central Saanich having filed suit for violation of land-use bylaws, in community members having made presentations to the CRD that brought pressure to bear on plans regarding food-scrap diversion from Hartland landfill, and there has been a reduction in the amount of waste going into the facility by the cancellation or suspension of several contracts. Of course, cooling weather has helped in mitigating the smell too.
But please don’t deceive yourselves into believing that this situation is resolved.
We need our whole community to be involved in continuing the fight against industrial composting on ALR land.
Have you suffered from sinus or respiratory problems? Is your home up for sale at a reduced market rate? (Realtors spoken to have noted a valuation reduction in the Tanner Ridge neighbourhood of approximately 10 per cent). Please be aware as well, that under B.C. real estate laws, the fact that your home is located within the airshed of a recognized nuisance compost facility must be disclosed to all potential buyers.
Foundation Organics is not permanently shut down — they are only under suspension — and they have requested to almost double the volume of garbage food waste they can process.
Other farmers in our community are considering garbage farming as well.
We have had approximately 100-150 people turn out to address this issue at various District of Central Saanich and CRD meetings, but we need more voices and more involvement to ensure that this issue is seen through to a proper and responsible conclusion.
Please get involved in the fight at www.tannerridge.ca — we need everyone’s help!
Andree Penrice
Central Saanich
