Map shows location of industry  along the Nechako River

The long awaited report on asphalt plants and neighbourhoods has been presented to Council. The 35 page document outlines the history of the conflict, and confirms what the residents have been saying for years, the neighbourhoods were there first.

The report, prepared by Environment Manager Mark Fercho, has two recommendations.  Council unanimously supported the first  recommendation.  It calls for the City to press the Ministry of the Environment to review and update the Asphalt Regulations. In particular it calls for improved encorcement provisions and a requirement for the plants to meet the higher emissions standard in the regulation in Prince George. 

Fercho says it was important  for the full issue to be documented, "The issue is a complex one, there is no easy resolution. first and foremost, the Province has to update the asphalt regulations."  Councilor Zurowski says he is concerned  the Ministry of the Environment seems concerned about bio-energy plants for while they reduce greenhouse gas emissions there are concerns about Pm2.5 emissions.  "Seems the Ministry is very strict with the new industry but passive with existing permit holders."  Zurowski says  there needs to be a higher standard for the Prince George airshed.  

To that end, Councilor Munoz introduced an ammendment,  calling on the City to work with the Ministry and develop its own emission standards which would give Prince George control of its own air shed. The motions were approved .

The second called for the City to work with the gravel pit operating stakeholders to establish terms and conditions for permits that will ensure improved dust suppression and reclamation performance.  It too was carried unanimously.

Councilor Deborah Munoz  introduced a motion that called on the City to establish  an Air Quality bylaw and air pollution bylaw.  The  motion  is meant to avoid the problems "from the get go" says Munoz "If we had  pollution standards in place, we wouldn't have to undergo  30 years of lobbying" that is a reference to the battle neighbours have waged since the early 60's trying to have their concerns over noise, dust and  emissions addressed. 

Developing a by-law is "huge" says Mayor Kinsley and while Council has pushed  the  motion over to  Administration for further discussion, there is no time limit on when City Staff will be expected to have that item brought back to Council.

Councilor Munoz also asked for a new regulation that would prohibit asphalt plants from operations when air quality advisories are in effect. That may have been one too many,  as it was defeated. 

Mark Fercho says "If we are going to take over authority we have to have the human resources to ensure we can monitor it, and monitor it to the point  where it can be unheld in a court of law."Residents were in the Council Chamber in high numbers. 

Mayor Colin Kinsley called for a  detailed plan of attack "We need to work with Administration the Provincial Government, the Asphalt operators and gravel  pits.  I certainly don't want to discourage this approach, but we can't go off willy nilly, we need to be more strategic".

North Nechako Neighbourhood Resident Kathleen Haines said  she was a a little disappointed "It is still a health issue, and I am  disappointed  only two Councilors (Skakun and Munoz) wanted to go another step forward and  look at the relocation of the  plants."