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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Biosolids protest moves to Vancouver as resolution comes before UBCM Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
A joint resolution regarding biosolids issued by the City of Merritt and Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) is expected to be voted on today (Sept. 24). The resolution requests the province establish a committee to examine and recommend changes to the biosolids review process as well as changes to the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation and Agricultural Land Commission Act. Under current provincial regulations, no public consultation or approval from a local government is required for a proponent to set up a biosolids composting facility or apply the fertilizer to land. Only provincial bodies need to be consulted. TNRD Area M Director Randy Murray said this resolution, which is named resolution B-59, is intended to answer whether or not biosolids land application is the right thing to do. “Maybe there are alternatives we should be looking at as we are in Merritt,” Murray said. At the moment, the provincial For all your landscaping needs call the professionals at
government is in the middle of conducting a scientific review of biosolids. Murray said resolution B-59 needs to pass at UBCM because it is more encompassing than the province’s scientific review. The province announced in June it’s setting up a technical working group consisting of professionals from the Ministry of Environment, First Nations Health Authority and Interior Health Authority to examine health concerns regarding biosolids with an advisory committee that will oversee the group. The review however, is not examine the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation. Critics of biosolids — the end product of sewage treated at a waste water treatment facility, which is used as fertilizer — say biosolids contain contaminants that are harmful to the soil and water, and should not be used on farmland. The provincial government, however, has maintained the product is safe and regulated. Anti-biosolids group Friends of the Nicola Valley (FNV) travelled to Vancouver on Wednesday to protest outside the Trade and Convention Centre to show their
support for resolution B-59. “[Murray’s] resolution is designed to curtail the wholesale importation and processing of biosolids into the Nicola Valley and southern B.C.,” a press release from the group stated To get on the UBCM agenda resolution B-59 needed to be green lit at the Southern Interior Local Government Association convention, which it did by an almost unanimous vote. If B-59 passes a vote at the convention, it will become an issue for UBCM staff to bring to government. Provincial responses to UBCM resolutions will be released in 2016.
COUNCIL MEETS WITH PREMIER, MINISTERS AT UBCM Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Merritt city council met with Premier Christy Clark at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver on Wednesday (Sept. 23). Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said he and council discussed the needs of the hospital’s emergency room with the Premier as well as keeping the BC Visitor Centre open and repaving Highway 8. Council also spoke to the Premier about the stalled Gateway 286 land develop-
ment — a local First Nations led project the city has encouraged over the years. Coun. Mike Goetz said he wanted to know if there is still funding available from the province, which was said to be available by former Premier Gordan Campbell. Goetz told the Herald the Premier said she was aware of funding that was available in 2005, but she’s a new Premier with a new view and she’ll look into it. “She’s excited about 286,” Goetz said.
See ‘Province’ Page 3
RCMP INVESTIGATING CAR THEFT Usual suspects have airtight alibi Michael Potestio THE MERRITT HERALD
Police are trying to track down a vehicle that was reported stolen. Sometime overnight Saturday (Sept.19) a teal coloured 1991 Honda Civic with painted black wheels was taken while parked along
Houston Street. Police don’t have any suspects at the moment. RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore said two of the most notorious local car thieves were already in custody when the theft occurred. Anyone with any information on this file is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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