Malahat First Nation may rethink backing for landfill near Shawnigan Lake – Times Colonist
December 11, 2015
The Malahat First Nation says it may reconsider its support for a contaminated-soil landfill near Shawnigan Lake unless the B.C. government can show that it has independently reviewed the project.
The band’s newly-elected chief and councillors have written to Environment Minister Mary Polak seeking assurances that her office has re-assessed the scientific information that it relied upon to issue a permit for the Stebbings Road quarry.
“If the ministry is unable to provide the requested information or has not undertaken an independent reassessment, the Nation must reconsider its position on the permit,” states the letter, signed by Chief Caroline Harry and all three councillors.
The First Nation says it based its earlier support for the project on the understanding that the permit application was supported by independent science. It noted, however, that “serious concerns” have been raised about the relationship between the landfill’s owner, Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd., and Active Earth Engineering, which did the technical assessment of the site.
