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BC  

Raising a political stink

A Nicola Valley group plans to raise a stink in the upcoming provincial election.

Friends of the Nicola Valley says it will support candidates who will put an end to biosolids land disposal.

“We are non-political and do not endorse any political party overall, but we have stood together with Chief Aaron Sam on this issue which has been threatening our valley,” said Georgia Clement, founding director of the group. “We know Aaron will stand up for us on this issue regardless of which party wins the election next year. That’s why we back him and any other candidate, regardless of party, who will take a similar stand.”

Sam, chief of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, recently declared his bid for nomination as NDP candidate in the Fraser-Nicola riding currently held by BC Liberal Jackie Tegart.

The group says Sam – who holds degrees in law and environmental studies – is "knows the area, he knows the people, he knows the issues, and knows there needs to be a balance between jobs/economy and the environment.”

The NDP has supported a moratorium on land application of biosolids.

B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak recently changed regulations to allow higher concentrations of contaminants in biosolids.

“Testing by the David Suzuki Foundation in 2015 in the Nicola Valley found contaminants in recently dumped biosolids that exceeded provincial contaminated site regulations. Now those regulations have been changed or eliminated, allowing much higher concentrations of known carcinogens and metals,” said Melody Simon, Friends president. “This is the clearest indication yet that the current government is only listening to special interests that profit from dumping biosolids.”

The group says there are beneficial ways to get rid of biosolids, pointing to a plant in Zurich, Switzerland, that turns sewage sludge into biogas that generates electricity and heat.



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