B.C.'s environmental appeal board has given a COVID-19-based temporary reprieve to a controversial Ladner composting facility that takes in much of Metro Vancouver's organic waste.

GFL Environmental Inc. is fighting against restrictions the region has tried to place on its open-air turf and composting operation, arguing — in part — that it is in the process of building a state-of-the-art contained facility that won't smell.

But it needs time to build the new facility — originally slated to open in February — and according to an appeal board decision last week, the company claims that international travel and trade restrictions associated with the pandemic are making it difficult to meet deadlines that have already been extended once to the start of May.

Citing concerns that GFL "provided very little evidence" to support its application, the appeal board decided to issue another 60-day extension until July 1 — effectively holding its nose at what they said was a lack of proof.

The residents who live near the facility say they've been holding theirs for years.

"Recycling is a good thing. It's necessary. It's long overdue. It should have been thought out a little more carefully," says Peggy Richardson, who speaks for a group of residents behind the so-called Stop The Stink campaign.

"They have been dragging their heels forever. They certainly seem to want to continue to do that. So, do we trust them? Do we trust the government to protect us? Those are the questions."

The most recent extension highlights a battle that has been dragging out before the environmental appeal board for more than a year.

Metro Vancouver issued a permit to GFL in 2018 with a view to placing limits on odours. But both the company and the residents appealed: the company because they claimed the permit contained "unduly prescriptive and unnecessary" requirements that wouldn't protect the environment, and the residents because they felt the rules weren't strict enough.

But what was supposed to be a 15-day hearing has gone on twice that long, with future dates now on hold because of COVID-19.

Richardson says a murder trial could have taken place in less time — and it would cost taxpayers less money.

In an earlier ruling, the appeal board placed the blame for the delays at the feet of the company and the region.

"The hearing has not concluded, in large part, because it has turned into a battle ground where time estimates have gone out the window," the board said.

Ironically, Richardson says the pandemic has actually lessened the smell because the region's many restaurants are not contributing to the landfill.

But she expects that to change with the weather heating up and B.C. making moves to reopen the economy.

"Lately, we have not been experiencing the great, horrendous, putrid smell because they're not taking as much feedstock because the restaurants and that are all closed," Richardson says.

"How we're left feeling is that as long as we're not having to breathe the pollution that comes from that facility, we're OK."

In the latest decision, the three-person environmental appeal board panel notes that the facility was declared an essential service as part of the province's emergency declaration.

GFL claimed that contractors from the United States were unable to make it to B.C. to oversee the installation of technology needed to operate the new biofilter. The company claimed that orders providing guidance to construction sites were also delaying the process.

"In these circumstances, the relief sought is truly interim as, if granted, it will allow GFL to continue providing the essential services of receiving and processing organic waste from Metro Vancouver municipalities, and other sources for a further sixty days," the board said.

But the panel told the composter that it needs to come up with evidence, including the current state of the new facility, reasons for any delays, and all steps taken to address any obstacles if it wants to extend the deadline for a third time — past July 1.

Richardson says residents are concerned that the new building will still smell. They're asking Metro Vancouver to enforce laws that they say are already on the books, requiring the company to keep its smells to the property line.