Drive for tougher compost legislation

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Residents of Wheatland County have been pushing for tougher laws regarding compost facilities, but the province only has best practises guidelines on the books when it comes to enforcement.
On Dec. 4, Wheatland County administration asked council to support a request to the province to make changes in their legislation.
“The jurisdiction to regulate compost facilities lies with Alberta Environment and Parks under the authority of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Waste Control Regulation and Code of Practice for Compost Facilities Code,” stated Alyssa Robb, environmental coordinator with Wheatland County. “The provincial government also has a document titled Standards for Composting Facilities in Alberta which is not legally enforceable as it is not tied to the Waste Control Regulation or Act. In recent conversations with Alberta Environment and Parks, it was determined that the standards published in 2007 were originally written with the intent of replacing the current code. According to staff, the project lost priority at the time and was not pushed along to the final steps necessary for the content of the standards to become the new and enforceable code of practice.”
Wheatland County has encountered resistance in addressing resident concerns with the Green for Life (GFL) compost facility near Namaka. Alberta Environment responded to Strathmore Times inquiries with the following statement:
“Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) continue to monitor the Green For Life (GFL) facility, which operates under a provincial code of practice for compost facilities. As a registered facility, the department ensures that groundwater and surface water are protected, and that nuisance issues are properly managed by the facility. This is done by reviewing annual reports, conducting site inspections and investigating complaints. The department’s compliance assurance programs use education and prevention as a means to ensure compliance with the province’s environmental regulations. Enforcement is used when parties are wilfully non-compliant with the regulations.
Residents of Wheatland County have been pushing for tougher laws regarding compost facilities, but the province only has best practises guidelines on the books when it comes to enforcement.
On Dec. 4, Wheatland County administration asked council to support a request to the province to make changes in their legislation.
“The jurisdiction to regulate compost facilities lies with Alberta Environment and Parks under the authority of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Waste Control Regulation and Code of Practice for Compost Facilities Code,” stated Alyssa Robb, environmental coordinator with Wheatland County. “The provincial government also has a document titled Standards for Composting Facilities in Alberta which is not legally enforceable as it is not tied to the Waste Control Regulation or Act. In recent conversations with Alberta Environment and Parks, it was determined that the standards published in 2007 were originally written with the intent of replacing the current code. According to staff, the project lost priority at the time and was not pushed along to the final steps necessary for the content of the standards to become the new and enforceable code of practice.”
Wheatland County has encountered resistance in addressing resident concerns with the Green for Life (GFL) compost facility near Namaka. Alberta Environment responded to Strathmore Times inquiries with the following statement:
“Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) continue to monitor the Green For Life (GFL) facility, which operates under a provincial code of practice for compost facilities. As a registered facility, the department ensures that groundwater and surface water are protected, and that nuisance issues are properly managed by the facility. This is done by reviewing annual reports, conducting site inspections and investigating complaints. The department’s compliance assurance programs use education and prevention as a means to ensure compliance with the province’s environmental regulations. Enforcement is used when parties are wilfully non-compliant with the regulations.