Order against Samborski Environmental

August 21, 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED TO COMPOSTING OPERATOR Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship advises an environmental protection order has been issued against Samborski Environmental Ltd., a company that operates a garden supply and commercial composting site near McGillivary Boulevard in the Rural Municipality of Macdonald. The order requires Samborski Environmental to cease and desist receiving any further material at the facility within 30 days and remove all compost from the facility within 30 days. If the order is not adhered to, officials from the province will step in and remove the compost from the site to ensure the environmental impacts are properly managed. In late 2011, a facilitator was appointed by the province to help Samborski Environmental wind down composting operations at its current location and move to a more suitable location elsewhere. These efforts were unsuccessful. In July 2012, the province advised it would enforce an environmental protection order. In August 2012, an understanding was reached with Samborski Environmental to ensure diversion of all incoming material to a licensed facility near Winkler and a commitment to be diligent in odour suppression activities from the remaining compost piles at the site. Odours have continued to be monitored at the site, and the monitoring and continued complaints indicate odour reduction has not been achieved. The department has received an increasing number of complaints over the last few months. As of August 2013, more than 400 complaints had been received. Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship has worked with Samborski Environmental for over five years to address ongoing environmental issues and to encourage relocation to a more acceptable location. Along with trying to help find a more suitable location, the department also worked with the company and the City of Winnipeg to arrange for an alternate composting site. Environmental protection orders are issued under the authority of Manitoba’s Environment Act. Orders can be issued to prevent or mitigate the effects pollutants may have on the environment and human health. - 30 -