Debate and decision on composting facility site still to come

PENTICTON – The regional district board is still processing public input as well as continuing to receive responses over a proposal to site an organics composting facility in the Marron Valley.

Several residents potentially affected by odour from the site, just north of Highway 3A on locatee land of the Penticton Indian Band on Marron Valley Road, were on hand in the gallery this morning, June 15, to hear what the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board had to say on the matter – which turned out to be very little.

Environmental Committee chair Tom Siddon told the board there was a lot of public response as well as technical reports to wade through, telling members of the gallery there would be no debate or comments made regarding the issue at today’s meeting.

It was hoped the information would be evaluated and ready for the board’s review at the July 6 regular board meeting.

He said three public consultations had gleaned a body of letters and group statements that were being assessed, assuring the public present the board had “no pre-conceived positions on the board.”

Chief administrative officer Bill Newell said it was their intent to create summaries of information on the two potential composting sites at the Summerland dump and on Marron Valley Road.

Naramata director Karla Kozakevich asked if the board would take part in a group tour of the potential sites in order to physically take a look at the location, a matter Siddon said would be dealt with at the July 6 meeting.

At the June 1 board meeting, Boundary-Similkameen MLA Linda Larson said she would not support the Marron Valley site, echoing concerns of nearby residents who feel they will have to contend with odour, increased truck traffic, possible environmental damage and decreased real estate values if the Marron Valley site is selected.

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