Fraser Valley Agri Waste Solutions Ltd. (FVAWS), a composting facility located just south of McLennan Creek. As of August 2023, it has been fined for operating more than triple its allowed capacity. The Ministry of Environment and the Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch, Government of British Columbia, performed an audit. They learned that facility had accepted a shocking 25,637 tonnes of compost feedstocks between April 2023 and May 2024, far in excess of its built capacity of 8,000 tonnes. On May 16, Stephanie Little, the Director of the Environmental Management Act, issued a decision. She ordered a fine of $9,000, far below the $72,000 originally sought.
This audit was part of a broader effort by the B.C. government to enhance regulatory compliance among composting facilities across the province. This included an on-the-ground inspection of 107 registered composting sites, which led to evaluations of 27 facilities. The result of these inspections was alarming, with only 20 percent of them showing compliance. Those audits, they issued a total of 14 advisories, six warnings and five closure recommendations against facilities that were not in compliance.
FVAWS’s operations have been a source of long-standing concern, especially given its location adjacent to a fish-bearing waterway. The facility’s repeated non-compliance with the province’s Organic Matter Recycling Regulation has been flagged as a major concern. Little emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Fraser Valley Agri Waste Solutions Ltd. has not provided sufficient evidence to support its claim that it remained within its permitted design capacity.”
These disturbing audit findings exposed an extreme culture of change. In order to remain in compliance, FVAWS would have needed to re-route more than 17,600 tonnes of compost feedstock. As per Little, such significant activity should have been recorded and reported during the facility’s most recent inspection.
“To remain compliant, more than 17,600 tonnes would have needed to be diverted, a scale of activity that would reasonably be expected to have been documented and disclosed during inspection.” – Stephanie Little
Threat to endangered species Concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impact of the facility’s operations. Little underscored how hazardous seepage can be and how it gets transported downstream during storm events. These combined pressures may put local ecosystems at great risk.
“Nor do they negate the observed seepage or the potential for downstream transport during storm events,” – Stephanie Little
In a written response to the audit’s findings, FVAWS acknowledged its mistakes and noted actions it had taken to correct its capacity problems. As Little pointed out, there was no documentation supporting what would to verity these assertions. She noted that the sole evidence filed was a legal counsel’s letter. It had no current, detailed scale record or certified business operations plan.
“The only evidence provided is a letter from legal counsel. There is no supporting documentation such as updated scale records, finalized operational plans, or third-party verification to confirm that these changes have been implemented or are on track.” – Stephanie Little
Additionally, even after FVAWS was given a penalty, the organization has 30 days to appeal that decision. The explosion raised new questions about our abilities and willingness to monitor and regulate composting facilities across B.C. Public outrage over noxious smells emanating from these facilities is only increasing across the country, calling us to act.
As part of this regulatory wave, two sites were proposed for closure because of persistent non-compliance problems. The high rate of noncompliance at inspected facilities is shocking. It raises united, alarming concerns regarding the government’s ability to manage and monitor such operations across the province.
“Composting facilities’ odour remains a major public concern.” – Audit report
