The comment deadline for those concerned about possible environmental impacts of a biofuel facility proposed for Semiahmoo First Nation land has been extended again.
According to information on the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada website (iaac-aeic.gc.ca), members of the public wishing “to help inform this determination” now have until Oct. 14 to submit feedback.
It is at least the second time that the deadline for this comment period has been extended.
The “anaerobic digestion facility” being considered – in partnership with Andion Global – came to the local public’s attention following a June 27 announcement by Natural Resources Canada of $14.4 million in federal support for it.
READ MORE: $14 million announced for Semiahmoo First Nation renewable natural gas facility
READ MORE: Sept. 2 deadline for comment on Semiahmoo First Nation biofuel project
At that time, the cut-off date for public comment was set for Sept. 2. It was extended to Oct. 2 “due to public interest close to the end of the feedback period,” Matthew Gutsch, spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, told Peace Arch News.
“Officials with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) felt it was important to provide an extension to allow those interested to have sufficient time to comment,” Gutsch said by email, noting such extensions are not unusual.
The facility is proposed for four acres of SFN land adjacent to Highway 99, approximately one kilometre north of the Canada-U.S. border and 40 metres back from the highway itself.
Residents who have reached out to PAN in the months since NRCan’s funding support was announced have expressed concerns around the proposed location, potential odour and associated truck traffic.
An air quality dispersion modelling report shared by Andion anticipates odour from the facility would likely only exceed detectable levels occasionally, at “sensitive receptors” including the Hills at Portal Golf Club, Peace Arch Duty Free store (and adjacent Highway 99) and Peace Arch Park.
“The majority of odour exceedances occur during fall and winter when people are less likely to be golfing, frequenting Peace Arch Provincial Park, queuing at the border or have their residential windows open,” the report summary notes.
Comments regarding potential environmental effects may be sent to Lee-Ann.Hamilton@sac-isc.gc.ca
