Editor’s Note: There have been new developments on this story. On Saturday a Kelowna-based company that does environmental consulting announced it had developed a plan for removing the Penticton waste pile as a way to give back during the COVID-19 pandemic. Updated information about this story is available here.
A massive pile of waste on Green Mountain Road in Penticton has seemingly gone missing.
On Tuesday, Global News received multiple calls and emails from concerned residents and workers — people who believed the garbage was being buried nearby.
When Global News arrived at the location on Tuesday, an excavator was filling multiple dump trucks, which were then transporting the waste somewhere near the back of the property.
The property is on Penticton Indian Band land, and the Penticton Indian Band (PIB) says it is are aware of work being done on the site.
The band says a cease and desist letter is being sent to the landowner, Adam Eneas.
“PIB continues to promote and advocate for the health and safety of its members and the protection of its lands and neighbouring communities,” the band said in a statement.
“PIB has been made aware that work is underway on Lot 210.”
But the statement fails to answer where the waste went.
The waste piles were left behind after Appleton Waste Services declared insolvency last year.
Later, Eneas, who had leased property on his land to Appleton Waste Services, declined comment on the project when reached by Global News.