Plans for a contentious garbage incinerator may be back on the table. Regional District of North Okanagan directors decided Wednesday to hold a meeting to discuss a proposal from Vancouver-based CanKor Pacific to build a waste-to-energy plant on part of the Splatsin First Nation near Spallumcheen's Hullcar area. "I want to see us do our du diligence and not receive and file like the last time," said director Shirley Fowler. In August 2011, CanKor sought funding for a feasibility study but the RDNO board decided not to take action after staff recommended that the current process of landfilling and recycling waste continue. Some Hullcar residents also had concerns about truck traffic and possible contamination of the environment. On Wednesday, CanKor officials were back before the board and they were offering to do a $100,000 to $200,000 feasibility study at no cost to the regional district, with RDNO only being asked to provide staff to be involved in the process. CanKor also asked that it be included in any request for proposals if the regional district decides to pursue an incineration project as a way of dealing with trash. "We need co-ordination to get the project rolling," said Hak Sung Lee, a company director, of the need to involve RDNO at this point. Fowler initially tried to get her colleagues to give provisional assent to a feasibility study so the terms of reference could be developed. However, that didn't get support. "We don't have all of the information back from staff. I won't support that until we're well informed," said director Doug Dirk. It was also pointed out that while RDNO wouldn't contribute directly to a study, it would be paying for staff activities. "That cost is born by taxpayers. We already have capacity issues (with workload)," said director Mike Macnabb. Staff expressed concerns about being able to review a proposal independently if RDNO participates in a study. "As soon as you involve us, we've lost arm's length evaluation of this," said Trafford Hall, administrator. A push to consider solid waste management options other than landfills came from a number of directors including Howie Cyr. "The reason we're at the table is to think locally and long-term," he said. It's not known when RDNO directors will meet to discuss the CanKor proposal for a feasibility study.
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