Dear Editor:
The concept of the Solid Waste Management program being proposed for the southern Okanagan-Similkameen Valley is a sensible and environmentally responsible plan that any reasonable person would find necessary.
The local-scale versus large-scale question is another matter, as is the location of the regional compost facility.
We have lived in the western edge of Prairie Valley, adjacent to municipal property, for the last 23 years.
We, along with others nearby, think of the municipality as our neighbours; but, alas, it is a one-way relationship. During the last 20-odd years, there has been a long list of proposed developments, landfill initiatives, land conversions, etc. These include:
1) The Patagonia tourist resort in south Prairie Valley.
2) The golf course in north Prairie Valley.
3) The gravel extraction in west Prairie Valley.
4) The forest and hillside removal for gravel extraction, immediately adjacent to our collective properties.
5) The settling ponds at the landfill for the inappropriately treated sewage effluent.
6) The water treatment plant.
7) And now the compost facility
All of these ventures, both failed and successful, would have, or have, impacted our valley with increased vehicle traffic and exhaust, dramatic change in air flow patterns from the west down into the valley, stench from the settling ponds which has been remediated but not completely removed, and perhaps the greatest potential problem: contamination of our water reservoir.
This last problem is a grave concern which is continually avoided by short-sighted people.
Yes, the water treatment plant is, indeed, a most worthwhile investment for Summerland and we applaud it. However, as neighbours we find our basement regularly flooded with underground streams since the time of the plant construction.
The take-home message here is that the underground water sources are continually changing and potential contamination of our water reservoir, from activities at the landfill, hangs in the balance.
The location of the compost facility at the Summerland landfill is a bad idea.
It takes no notice of the municipality’s immediate neighbours and the many others who live in Prairie Valley.
Having lived through several years of stench from the settling ponds, a stench that regularly reached residents on South Victoria Road, it seems unbelievable that yet another odour-creating development will occur at the landfill.
As noted in many letters, the prevailing airflows are downhill from the west and northwest into the valley in both summer and winter.
Prairie Valley is one of the most beautiful agrarian and natural valleys in the Okanagan and perhaps all of B.C. We feel very fortunate to live here.
But what we see for the future is an unhealthy environment from increased truck traffic, air pollution, and stench owing to the proposed Compost Facility.
We do not want to see Summerland labeled as “An Unhealthy Community.” The compost facility should be situated at Marron Valley or other location with much fewer health and environmental concerns as well as social disruption.
Thomas P. Sullivan
Professor Emeritus
Forestry and Agriculture
University of BC - Vancouver
Summerland