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Dealing with Chemainus odours a work in progress

Residents urged to make their feelings known on the issue and not be apathetic
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Re: North Cowichan raising stink over foul odours (Courier Jan. 25 by Robert Barron)

An agenda item on the Jan. 17 North Cowichan council meeting was the Chemainus odours.

This issue has been ongoing for many years. There are many opinions as to the odour sources.

In the autumn of 2017, the Chemainus Residents Association, in response to the urging of many citizens, began a process aimed at helping to confirm the sources of the smells and to suggest ways of controlling them.

One of the first steps was to conduct a quick survey (residents and businesses). This yielded approximately 200 responses. A majority of respondents identified Coast Environmental as the possible source, but not all.

The other sources identified were surrounding farms, the city sewage system, the pulp mill and even marijuana growing operations.

Many of the responses were overlaid with emotion: anger, frustration, despondency (over no resolution).

The work is still in progress. The problem is not a simple one and there is no quick and easily-defined solution.

All Chemainus residents are urged not to be apathetic. Make the effort to participate.

At the Jan. 17 meeting, Councillor Tom Walker stated, “the operator takes these complaints seriously,” referring to Coast Environmental.

If he is correct, then, if the majority make their feelings known, a resolution may be not that far away.

Bernie Jones

Chemainus Residents Association