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Residents to talk stench at town hall meeting

Residents impacted by the foul smells emitting from Enviro Smart Organics Green For Life (GFL) East Ladner composting facility have called a town hall meeting to hear from a panel of experts and voice their concerns.
GFL
Residents have called a town hall meeting for Tuesday night at the Sundance to discuss the ongoing concerns over the stench from the Enviro-Smart GFL composting facility in East Ladner.

Residents impacted by the foul smells emitting from Enviro Smart Organics Green For Life (GFL) East Ladner composting facility have called a town hall meeting to hear from a panel of experts and voice their concerns.

Expected to draw more than 200 residents, the town hall will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 21 starting at 7 p.m. at the Sundance (6574 Ladner Trunk Road).

After months of consultation, Metro Vancouver issued GFL an air quality management permit on Aug. 1 that requires, among other things, that the facility be fully enclosed by March 2020.

Area residents impacted by the facility have called this town hall to express their ongoing concerns with health and well-being that has been caused by the operation.

The panel of experts invited to speak include: Dr. Michael Schwandt and Dr. Goran Krystic, medical health officers from Fraser Health, Ray Robb and Michelle Jones from Metro Vancouver, Delta South MLA Ian Paton and City of Delta staff.

The town hall will be chaired by resident Dr. Steven Cockroft and facilitated by resident Wendy Betts.

“The residents patiently waited while the process of issuing an air quality management permit was drafted. The stench continues,” said Betts in a news release. “We have waited for the provincial government to respond to questions about the legitimate use of this property as designated ALR farm-use, and whether or not the expanded facility is in compliance. We have waited for confirmation that stench is a health concern, and yet continues to be permitted. We have waited for Delta mayor and council to research alternative options for processing green waste other than dumping it within a short distance of residents.”

Betts adds that frustrations are mounting as residents have gone through yet another summer of having to keep their windows closed and limit the enjoyment of their community to avoid the stink from the composting.

“No doubt, the questions from the residents will be forthright to the panel,” she adds. “The community is nearing a boiling point – especially during the summer months as the stench worsens.”