B.C. government suspends permit for soil dumping near Shawnigan Lake
Environment Minister threatens to revoke permit after numerous non-compliance issues
B.C.'s environment ministry is threatening to revoke a permit for the company operating a controversial dumping site for contaminated soil on Vancouver Island.
A news release from the ministry says it has immediately suspended the waste discharge permit held by Cobble Hill Holdings Ltd. for their operations at an old quarry near Shawnigan Lake.
Environment Minister Mary Polak says she is issuing the suspension because the company has failed to address outstanding and past non-compliances.
- Court ruling halts contaminated soil dumping in Shawnigan Lake
- Contaminated soil dump at Shawnigan Lake compliant after 22K litres leak, environment minister says
- Shawnigan Lake contaminated soil dump not allowed, rules B.C. Supreme Court
She says if the company does not provide documents required by the ministry within the next 15 business days, its permit will be cancelled.
The company was previously involved in a legal dispute with the Cowichan Valley Regional District when officials tried to prohibit soil dumping through local bylaws.
The B.C. Court of Appeal ultimately sided with Cobble Hill Holdings last fall, allowing dumping to resume.