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Chilliwack residents oppose hazardous waste plant on Fraser River bank

VANCOUVER – Residents in Chilliwack who oppose a hazardous waste plant are now planning their next move.

They held what they called a ‘strategy meeting’ on site today.

Forty-eight organizations make up the coalition, which represents about 150,000 people. They want to stop the building of a hazardous waste plant on the banks of the Fraser River. The land is important to the Stó:lō First Nation, with registered archaeological sites, historic villages and cemeteries.

Last month, Chilliwack council approved the waste recycling facility, saying they did not choose the location but worked with the applicant in the rezoning process.

The recycling being proposed at the plant would be materials like mercury and CFL bulbs. No items would stay at the site permanently but environmentalists say they agree that a site is needed, but do not agree it should be so close to the river.

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The project still needs approval from the Ministry of Environment and the builders have to include details about containment, fire suppression, and a contingency plan for spills response.

It is not known how soon that approval could come.

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