A controversial waste recycling plant is still in limbo, but a fresh web look for Aevitas Inc. tries to blunt some of the criticism
levelled at the proposed project at 7582 Cannor Road.
While the Ontario-based proponent awaits word on technical reviews by B.C. Ministry of Environment, and to see if an environmental assessment process will be required, it has released a new video that takes direct aim at criticisms of the proposed location near the Fraser River.
In the video, Aevitas president Byron Day is featured in a Q&A style conversation, explaining why the Chilliwack site on Cannor Road in the Cattermole Park is best for the proposed hazardous waste recycling and transfer station.
There is also a 3D look at the architectural drawings for the plant.
“For us it’s the best site,” said Day, underlining it was not a “random” selection of Chilliwack, but rather it took a year of exhaustive searching to find the best location for a plant to safely remove mercury from CFC lamps and oil from transformers, among other goals.
“This site checked off all the boxes,” he said.
It had to be far from residential neighbourhoods, southwest of Hope, well positioned for transport, and “as far away from water as possible.”
Every voice opposed to this project has said the location is wrong because of the proximity to the river, including some Sto:lo leaders, but Day disagrees, providing an online map of local streams, creeks and waterways to show the inherent connectivity.
“Look at the Lower Mainland. It’s pretty hard to get away from waterways.
“We’d have this problem no matter where we were.”
The dike around the Cattermole lands protects to one-in-200 year flood level.
Aevitas officials asked for alternate suggestions, and got a couple they looked at and rejected.
“But this is the best site that we could choose by far.”
What about those who are concerned it’s too close at 200 metres from the river?
“Some people are saying we’re on the Fraser River, but we’re not actually on the river. We’re set back 200 metres and we’re well protected,” he said.
There’s the dike, two other lots, an access road between the water and the site.
There are also plans for 10 levels of containment, including a clay liner and impervious geo-membrane.
It would be the 10th facility for Aevitas, a company that considers itself “an industry leader in providing environmentally responsible” waste solutions.