FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 7, 2025

Cheam First Nation Territory (Rosedale, B.C. CANADA) – Damage to the environment can happen from a lack of understanding, or it can be fueled by money. These issues cross all boundaries and barriers. Recently, we discovered that a repeat offender, known to Environment and Climate Change Canada has been operating a questionable composting facility on a private property within the Cheam Reserve.
It saddens us to know that while working so hard to protect the waters and land around our traditional territory, this encounter happened so close to home. Environment Canada has been to the site and is taking action against the owner of the material, and Cheam is working with the property owner within our Laws to manage the site in the short term and remediate thereafter.

Right now, the health of the land and sacred waters around us are in a critical state. We are seeing an exponential increase in the cumulative impacts of pollution, industry, and destruction of habitat caused by development.

When it comes to the environment, Cheam recognizes that there are far-reaching issues and change doesn’t come without a cost. As Cheam people our traditional law states “This is our land, we must care for everything that belongs to us”. Over the last year, Cheam has worked with partners/government agencies in areas such as mining, environmental, and agriculture, within our community, as a leader in the change that’s needed.

About Cheam First Nation – Cheam is an ancient village site and modern-day home to the Cheam people. Cheam is traditionally part of the Pelólxw tribe of Stó:lō Xwelmexw peoples and the larger Coast Salish Indigenous Peoples of the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Northern Washington, USA. The Cheam assert inherent title and rights over a vast territory and have never surrendered or ceded their lands. Many Cheam people continue to practice their ancient beliefs, traditions and ceremonies despite the impacts and injustices of colonialism. Cheam people are working towards a healthy, prosperous future for their people and generations to come.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Harmony Poisson
d) 604-745-8008 c) 778-889-6336
[email protected]

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Some Updated Information/Further Details:

Community Update Prepared January 8, 2025
Earlier last month it was brought to our attention by the Federal Agency of Environment and Climate Change Canada that an illegal and unpermitted composting site was operating on a parcel of CP land on Cheam Reserve. The Cheam Lands Team worked with Federal Officers to inspect the site and conduct testing on the compost leachate. A stop work order was issued immediately.

The site located on the East side of Cheam IR #1 was leased out by the CP holder to a company called Fraser Valley Renewables, also known as Fraser Valley Agri-Waste Solutions Ltd. (FVAWS) which has over 20 environmental infractions against them from previous illegal sites they have operated.

Initial observations revealed that the material is commonly classified as ‘overs’ and is a poor-quality compost-like material that may pose a significant harm to the environment. The first testing results, completed by Federal Officers from ECCC with support from Cheam Lands Staff, revealed that the leachate from the composting piles is considered acutely lethal to fish.  On this basis, ECCC served the site operator (FVAWS) with an inspector’s direction to: 1) cease discharge, 2) address the impact on the environment, and 3) prevent further discharge. 

Through internal Cheam Laws, the site contravenes the Cheam Soil Deposit, Removal, and Transport Law by:

• Operating without the requisite authorization per Section 3.2 of the Law.
• Not meeting environmental standards set out in the Environmental Management Act (British Columbia) and the Contaminated Sites Regulation.
• The transport was greater than 10m3 or more of soil per year and did not have documentation showing that each vehicle load had been assessed by a Professional Engineer confirming that the soil being transported meets the standards of the Act.
  

To address these issues, Cheam is requiring the CP holder to take short and long-term steps to ensure compliance, including ceasing all unauthorized importing of this material, submitting the required documentation, providing and following through with a remediation plan, and paying any associated fees to the Lands Governance Office. The CP holder(s) shall bear sole responsibility for any and all costs, damages, or liabilities associated with such operations, including but not limited to, remediation, legal, or regulatory expenses. Cheam First Nation further reserves all rights to enforce compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and the terms of any agreements, and to seek indemnification or other remedies from the CP holder(s) in the event of non-compliance or harm caused by such operations.