Farm blamed for sickening stink repeatedly violated environmental orders

A South Surrey farm at the centre of controversy over a mysterious odour has violated repeated orders under B.C.'s Environmental Management Act, according to the province.

Infractionshave been piling up against Border Feedlot Co. going back 20 years when the owners were first fined with polluting a nearby river.

Since then, the Ministry of Environmenthas issued multiple warning letters to theoperation on 172 Street and EighthAvenue.

Neighbours believe the pervasive odour permeating the community is harming their health and, in a complaint, sayfoul-smelling "diarrhea-coloured" effluent is hurting Little Campbell River,

• Mystery odour stirring up complaints in White Rock

In an email to CBC, Sandra Baird, director of J. Baird Cattle Co. and secretary of Border Feedlot Co. two companies thatoperateon the same propertysaid her family hasbeen in the cattle business for more than 50 years, but worries the next generation of farmers isin jeopardy.

In 1996, the farm started composting to augment dwindling profits from the cattle industry, according to court documents filed by the family.

Now, they sell everything from steer manure to topsoil.

"We're working hard to continue the cattle business and farming on this property," Baird said, referring to the many complaints and accusations.

She said her farm is working with the ministry to deal with the growing number of complaints. She said it's been "stressful" forthe familybecause of increased development around their property.

"We would like to get along with our neighbours and solve any issues. We would also like to be able to make a living farming."

History of warnings

In 1998, the company was ticketed $575 for discharging business waste into Little Campbell River, which runs through the property.

In 2007, a provincial audit named the feedlot as one of the region's worst violators of environmental compliance.

In 2017, three inspections by the Environment Ministry led to warning letters in March and August outlining multiple offences under the Environmental Management Act.

The reports revealed what the ministry calledpoor agricultural practices.

This included manure blocking a ditchfeeding into Little Campbell River, agricultural and commercial waste (including in some cases offsite drywall, gravel and sand) pumped onto fields, and unprotected waste piles stored on unpaved ground which could leach into the soil.

The region of Metro Vancouver, which monitors air quality standards, said there have been more than 250complaints against the property in the past two years.

'It's like standing in an outhouse'

Cynthia Adams is one of dozens of neighbours living in a development a few blocks south of the property claiming the stench is making them sick.

"It smells like rotten eggs. You can also smell raw sewage. It's like standing in an outhouse," said Adams who describes a sore throat and breathing problems that she says worsen when the smell is strongest.

The community started a Facebook group to document odours, dates and possible health effects.

"Personal messages of people describing how they aren't feeling well,young children, older people, those with asthma." said Adams.

In the past two years, officials confirmed that residents have filed multiple complaints to the City of Surrey, the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Metro Vancouver Regional District, Environment Canada and the Agricultural Land Commission.

A Metro Vancouver Regional District official suspects some type of sulphide possibly hydrogen sulphide is coming from the property and isinvestigating.

Potential health impacts

One expert said that health issues are a possible side effect of agricultural composting.

John Paul, the founder of Transform Compost Systems, has 30 years of expertise.

He's often called in to help farm operatorsfix problems with their systems, especially if there are complaints to WorkSafeBCabout potential health risks.

• B.C. mushroom farm tragedy in hands of coroner's jury

He pulled over while driving by this property recently after smelling what he believed to be hydrogen sulphide, which can be released from composting material like mushroom manure.

"It can accumulate in depressions or piping or lower places," he said.

Inhaling this gas can cause headaches, breathing problems, throat irritations and nausea, according to Environment Canada.

'It's an environmental injustice'

Eric Stausgaard says his son catches salmon and trout in Little Campbell River, but fears pollution from a pipe flushing the perimeterof the feedlot may beharming local waterways.

He believesquality of life is being affected not just for humans but for the entire ecosystem.

"As this area grows and more people move here, they want to be able to enjoy the environment they live in. I mean, it's a beautiful area," he said.

Adams, who's noticedthe smell has worsened in the last two years,said she doesn't mind the smell of a little manurebut adds that any damage to the air, land or riveris an"environmental injustice."

"It looks idyllic when you come down here. It's very special. It's very unfortunate the feedlot is stinking us out."

With files from Yvette Brend