Pubdate: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2014 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Cara McKenna DIRECTOR SAYS FOUL ODOURS TO BE CONTROLLED Now that odours from marijuana and compost are getting under control in Cedar, the Harmac Mill and biogas cogeneration plant will be reviewed. The Regional District of Nanaimo's Alec McPherson, who directs the Cedar area, says that he sees things improving in the near future, but things could still get better, which is why he plans to talk to company owners. The ICC Group's composting facility was recently handed a $1 million bill for odour abatement and are complying. Meanwhile marijuana odours from home growers are expected to subside after April 1, when legislation changes take medical marijuana growth out of homes and into large scale production. McPherson regularly receives complaints from residents over foul smells. "The marijuana odour has been pretty front and centre in this area because of an operation about 300 metres from the high school and at times its really dense," he said. "The main one now that hasn't be addressed is the Harmac Mill and cogeneration plant." McPherson said both facilities have been cause for concern, mostly to residents in southwest Cedar. This week, the RDN reviewed a letter from longtime Cedar resident Brian Tutty who called the pulp mill smell "acrid" and "intense." McPherson said he realizes abating the odours could get expensive for companies. "I'm not trying to put people out of business or anything like that. The mill, for example, is a good employer," he said. "It's just that we need to start taking a look at some of the other things that can be improved." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom