Biosolids have been brought in from the Okanagan and Vancouver to be dumped in many different areas in the Nicola Valley, and the residents and surrounding community members are saying no more.
Still going strong! #Merritt biosolids protest. #bcpoli #environment pic.twitter.com/fhgsgYVpSj
— Aaron Sam (@Asambc) March 11, 2015
Protesters have set up a blockade along highway 8 just outside of Merritt on Tuesday to restrict trucks carrying biowaste into the Sunshine Valley.
Photo credit: Friends of Nicola Valley Facebook.
According to Aaron Sam, Chief of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, biowaste has been dumped onto private property about 20 kilometres west of Merritt. The waste has seeped into the ground and the Nicola River, and ecosystems are being impacted.
The protest was kicked started by the Friends of the Nicola Valley after concerns were raised over the purchase of 320 acres of grassland located off of Woodward Road in Sunshine Valley. The site is being used as a dumping ground for biowaste.
Aside from the awful smell, the area has expressed several concerns including heavy metal contamination in water and airborne contaminants from stock piled biowaste.
Photo credit: Friends of Nicola Valley Facebook.
Joining Friends of the Nicola Valley in their pursuit to stop biowaste dumping, the Lower Nicola Indian Band is offering their support in the protest.
Sam said the provincial government failed to inform the Indian Band, the largest band in the Nicola region, that potentially harmful waste materials were being dumped in their backyard.
Trying to dispose of the biowaste quietly, Chief Sam said there has yet to be communication between the provincial government and the Lower Nicola Indian Band.
“Basically, we want the bio waste to stop. Once it does, we’re open to having a dialogue with the government. It’s important and this is an issue that affects everyone, so we’re open to having a dialogue in looking at creative solutions in terms of moving forward,” said Sam.
Chief Sam expects the protest to continue until the provincial government puts a stop to the depositing of biowaste in the Valley.
“It’s my understanding that it’s going to be on going. There’s no end in sight,” added Sam.
RCMP were on site Wednesday morning to keep the peace. Chief Sam said that it’s been a relatively peaceful protest thus far.
Photo credit: Dave Caswell Twitter.
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