The five chiefs of the Lower Nicola, Upper Nicola, Nooatich, Coldwater and Shackan bands have agreed upon a collaborative engagement protocol with the province of British Columbia.
“The application of biosolids at this time is probably not likely because of the planting season, etcetera, so it gives us a window of opportunity to look at what the process should look like,” Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart told the Herald.
The agreement “opens the door to First Nations oversight and participation” in a scientific review of biosolids in the region, said a press release from the province.
According to Shackan Band chief Percy Joe, this agreement doesn’t affect the moratorium the five chiefs signed back in April that banned biosolids from the Nicola Valley.
“We still insist the moratorium is in place and should be honoured,” he told the Herald. He hoped that this cooperation would lead to changes in regulation.
“I think that as First Nations we’ve always taken the stand that we just don’t know what’s in [the biosolids], and we want to know,” he said. “There are several studies out there already that say it’s not good. We need to do the science to find that out.”
The agreement establishes three groups, or “tables.”
The principals table is comprised of the signatories: the five chiefs, Tegart, Environment Minister Mary Polak and Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad. The principals table will oversee the other two: the advisory committee and the technical working group.
The advisory committee, established by the province, is made up of representatives of the First Nations Chiefs, the First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health Authority, provincial ministries, municipal government officials, industry leadership and others “as agreed to.” This committee will advise the principals table.
The technical working group, appointed by the principals table, will be made up of senior scientists, health, medical and biology professionals and Indigenous knowledge-holders to carry out the panel’s objectives.
“I’m really pleased we’re at this place,” said Tegart. “I wish we’d been here earlier, but we’re at this place today, and I’m looking forward to moving the agenda forward.”
There is also a commitment to transparency with regards to any further biosolids dumping during the talks.
Chief Joe said it’s been a long process, but he hopes this will result in a change of existing biosolids regulation. “We all know we’re creating these problems regardless of where we live, and we need to look at alternatives,” he said. “The regulations [should change] if the science proves it’s not good for fertilizer . . . We really have to seriously talk about how do we deal with it then.”
A report is expected by the end of the year.
