A cedar mill operating on Aqua Road in ts'uḵw'um (Wilson Creek) has been fined for unauthorized release of air contaminants.
Suncoast Industries was sent written notice June 19 by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy that a $15,900 administrative penalty was assessed against them for contravention of the Environmental Management Act (EMA).
The report attached to the letter noted that the ministry began its investigation in January 2019 when it responded to reports related to a landslide into a creek near the firm’s property. While on-site, ministry officials observed the air discharge of contaminants. As the company did not have authorization to release such discharge, written warning was issued.
Inspectors re-visited the site in December 2022 and found that the company was continuing operations without the required air discharge authorization.
According to the ministry’s penalty assessment form, Suncoast was charge $10,000 for failure to obtain the authorization. It was assessed another $5,000 for deliberately violating the EMA and for continuing that violation over almost three years. An additional $900 was added for what the ministry calculated as the “economic benefit” the firm gained from those actions.
Suncoast was advised of the unresolved act violation and the penalty calculation on May 11. It acknowledged receipt of that notice but did not request a chance to address the pending fine issue with the ministry within the prescribed 30-day period.
The company has 30 days to file an appeal of the fine. Coast Reporter contacted Suncoast to inquire if an appeal was planned and to seek their comment on the situation. No response was received by deadline.
