Coldstream is demanding enhanced scrutiny when it comes to air quality.
Council wants the Ministry of Environment to provide adequate and continual monitoring to ensure the collection of baseline air emission data at Tolko’s Lavington mill.
“The ministry did not keep the discharge permit up to date with changes at the mill,” said Coun. Doug Dirk.
“We want to know that it’s monitored as well. The ministry has dropped the ball.”
Coun. Richard Enns pushed for expanded air quality monitoring Monday.
“How we deal with enforcement is to have good data,” he said.
“This plant is near a school, church and parks and that’s reason to ask for higher standards.”
However, Coun. Peter McClean raised concerns about his colleagues’ approach.
“The ministry is being fairly co-operative and if we back door them, the next time we need their support, they won’t be there,” he said.
That brought a sharp response from Enns.
“We are being asked to provide input,” he said of a permit amendment sought by Tolko under the Environmental Management Act.
“We’re saying the data hasn’t been very good and enforcement hasn’t been consistent.”
Ultimately, the motion placing pressure on the ministry was opposed by McClean and Coun. Pat Cochrane.
“We’re overstepping our boundaries and telling the ministry how to do its job,” said McClean.
Dirk disagreed with that interpretation of council’s motion.
“We’re not telling anyone what to do. We’re just providing input,” said Dirk.
“It’s their process and their business and we just express our concerns.”
Enns insists the district is not trying to make life difficult for Tolko.
“We just need to keep the ministry on track. The community has benefitted from improvements made by Tolko and Pinnacle (Pellets) on air quality and we need to keep going with it,” he said.
Tolko could not be reached for comment.