Jeff Levine said that when he purchased the 155 acre property on Sarah Point Rd. in Bliss Landing, he planned to use a tiny portion of it for a business venture. He claimed that Ministry of the Environment staff helped him develop the proposal. They told him that the ideal site for a wood waste landfill was land that had previously been clearcut or was a forest industry site.
There is a four acre parcel within Levine’s new property that fits both categories. It had been clear-cut three years ago. A sawmill had once stood there. In addition, the site was close to the ocean, which would make it easy to barge wood waste in. Ministry staff said he needed to submit the name of a proposed waste wood site, so they could see how his operation would work. So, Levine said, he used the old Interfor mill site in Squamish as a model.
He does not have a contract
Levine said he does not have a contract with the Squamish site. In fact, he does not have a contract with any wood waste site anywhere. If his proposal had been approved by the Ministry of the Environment, Levine said he plans to seek customers from old mill sites.
In wake of the resulting public protest, he has aborted the idea. As Levine told Cortes Currents last night, “I have to live in this community.”

Opposition on social media
There has been considerable opposition to the project on Social media.
9,543 people signed a Bliss Landing resident’s petition on Change.org that stated, “We’ve been able to access reports on the waste materials that indicate high levels (up to 100X higher than legal limit) of a chemical called Toluene, which is highly toxic. Exposure during pregnancy can result in birth defects.”
The post lists a number of other “hazardous contaminants” and states “These contaminants were found in waste samples at levels ranging from 100% to 3,000% of the safety limits listed above.”
The petition was supposedly started by Save Desolation Sound – which denies any connection, adding “It was initiated without any consultation with the SDS.”
According to CBC News, “on Dec. 16, a Change.Org spokesperson told CBC in an email: ‘The petition was started by a small group of local residents and I’ve just learned that they are no longer comfortable speaking to the media.’ The petition was taken down the same day “at the request of the petition starter …’”
Information from Squamish
The District of Squamish does not appear to be aware of any corresponding test results. They hope to see mixed density housing, a marina and a park put onto the old mill site site. In their description of the proposed development at Waterfront Landing park, the District states, “previous industrial use has led to some site contamination.”
Last year, Municipal Environmental Co-ordinator Caroline Ashekian informed the Squamish council that the waste from the old mill “wouldn’t contaminate the area, but it could result in structural instability.”

Local Opposition
A number of people have expressed opposition to moving Squamish’s wood waste to Bliss Landing.
Ashley Zarbatany posted a public letter to Levine on Facebook, “As a resident of nearby Cortes Island, I am concerned about the impact this disposal will have on the marine ecosystems in our region. Specifically, I am concerned that water drainage from the disposal site will lead to contamination of our local aquaculture and sensitive marine habitats throughout Desolation Sound and surrounding areas in the Discovery Islands. It is for this reason that I am urging the company to consider a better way to dispose of the waste at the site where it was originally created, in Squamish, B.C., instead of exporting it to an area where our local economy relies on healthy marine ecosystems. ”
(As was previously stated, Levine said he does not have a contract to receive wood waste from Squamish or any other location.)
The MLA responds
The MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, Nicholas Simmons, looked into the matter for his constituents.
Simmons emailed, “The draft Technical Assessment submitted to the ministry and prepared by qualified professionals indicates that environmental risks to surface water and groundwater will be effectively mitigated through landfill design, operation, closure planning and post closure monitoring. However, it is important to mention the technical review by the ministry is pending.”
Mr Levine claims that Ministry staff helped develop his proposal to pass that review.
Landfill proposal withdrawn
When he withdrew his proposal, last night, Levine wrote “It is unfortunate that false information was intentionally distributed stating that the wood material was toxic waste. This is simply not true. This was an application for disposal of non-hazardous wood material, in accordance with Provincial guidelines and by Qualified Environmental Professionals.”
“The constructive feedback and ideas of the local community are appreciated. Although all Provincial requirements for this type of facility have been met, it is the concerns of the local community that has prompted the decision to withdraw the application with the Ministry of Environment, effective immediately.”
Links of interest – Bliss Landing Project
- (CBC – Dec 19, 2020) – Squamish man says error-filled petition made him abandon wood waste project and lose $400K– *^+(many sites/Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Dec 17, 2020) Squamish wood waste will not be dumped in Powell River area– *^+(many sites/Interfor)
- (Keystone Enviromental – Dec 15, 2020) Response to Public Questions Application for Waste Discharge Approval (Authorization No. 110495) Proposed Industrial Wood Waste Landfill, North of Lund Our Project No. 16070 – *(many sites)
- (Keystone Environmental) – Who we are
- (Lund Community Society) – Industrial wood waste landfill site North of Bliss Landing – WHAT IS HAPPENING?
- No Industrial Waste Landfills on the Sunshine Coast Facebook page
- (Change.org – Dec 13, 2020) Major Vancouver Developer Planning on Dumping Toxic Waste into Desolation Sound – petition removed Dec 16 – *
- ( Save Desolation Sound FB – Dec 15, 2020) – “We would like to clarify that this petition and the information in it was not created or sanctioned by Save Desolation Sound Society. It was initiated without any consultation with the SDS …”
- (Powell River Peak – Dec 15, 2020) Application withdrawn for wood waste landfill north of Powell River– *(many sites)
- (qathet Regional District – Dec 15, 2020) – Correspondence from Luc Lachance, Section Head, Solid Waste re Ministry of Environment Application 110495-397189
- (qathet Regional District – Dec 15, 2020 ) – Letter from MLA Nicholas Simmons’ aid*
- (qathet Regional District – Dec 14 & 15) Letters from Jeff Levine*
- (Cortes Currents – Dec 14, 2020) Wood Waste Landfill at Bliss Landing– *(many sites/Interfor)
- (Powell River Peak – Dec 10, 2020) Wood waste landfill proposed north of Lund– *(Interfor/many sites)
- (qathet Regional District – Nov 18, 2020) 1265209 BC LTD letter of notification*
- (qathet Regional District – Nov 17, 2020) 1265209 B.C. Ltd’s Environmental Protection Notice*(many sites)
Links – Squamish Timeline 2018 -20
- (The Squamish Chief – Dec 16, 2020) Over 200 rental units approved to be built in Squamish – ^
- (The Squamish Chief – Oct 6, 2020) Squamish Waterfront development marks completion of overpass– ^
- (Daily Hive – Sep 25, 2020) New Squamish townhomes offer idyllic alternative for Metro Vancouverites – ^
- (The Province – Aug, 2019) SEAandSKY to make its home in an evolving Squamish -^ (Mill Road = Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief -July 2019) Squamish council makes wish list for Waterfront Landing Park – ^
- (The Squamish Chief – May 2019) – unrelated old pulp mill – Woodfibre seeks simple amendment to its Environmental Certificate
- (The Squamish Chief – May 2019) Episode 14: Farewell to Nexen Beach – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Apr 2019) Mariners raise concerns about Squamish pedestrian bridge -*^
- (The Squamish Chief – June 2020) Work to begin on new Carbon Engineering facility in Squamish – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – March, 2019) Waterfront crossing in Squamish’s future? – ^
- The Squamish Chief – Feb 17, 2020) – unrelated– Woodfibre LNG won’t be building a new dock at Darrell Bay, the company says
- (The Squamish Chief – Jan 2019) Ring Creek residents oppose proposed basalt mine-*
- (The Squamish Chief – Dec 2018) Squamish’s Oceanfront Park plans revealed – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Dec 2018) Squamish’s Waterfront Landing starts second phase-^
- (Squamish Reporter – Dec 2018) Development permit sought for over 100 townhomes – (Interfor)
- (District of Squamish – Nov 2018) Waterfront Landing Park -^(Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2018) Waterfront Landing park plans previewed -^(Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Oct 2018) – unrelated – Darrell Bay tricky to negotiate*
- (The Squamish Chief – Aug 2018) – unrelated old pulp mill – Six-month cleanup at Woodfibre begins
- (The Squamish Chief – July 2018) – unrelated– Tourism and industry: visions for Darrell Bay*
- (The Squamish Chief – June 2018) Converting wood waste to bioenergy – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – May 2018) – other – Mountain bike team welcomes newcomers*
- (The Squamish Chief – April 2018) Councillors discuss Pemberton bridge option to ease traffic
- (The Squamish Chief – Feb 2018) – other – Garibaldi at Squamish proponents make their voices heard*
- (The Squamish Chief – Jan 2018) Transport Canada removes abandoned vessel from Mamquam Blind Channel*^
Links – Squamish Timeline 2016 -17
- (District of Squamish- 2017) Waterfront Landing Sub Area Plan – (Interfor)
- (District of Squamish – Dec 2017) Community partners and multi-jurisdictional effort results in navigational channel markings in the Mamquam Blind Channel -^
- (District of Squamish – Dec 2017) Jeff Levine addressing the district meeting about Regional Growth Strategy– *
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2017) COLUMN: Take a stroll along the oceanfront – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Oct 2017) – other – Yurt village planned for Squamish backcountry-*
- (The Squamish Chief – June 2017) Council cuts – Waterfront Landing. Enforcing bylaws.-*^
- (District of Squamish – News Apr 2016) Local groups work together to clean up section of Mamquam Blind Channel -^(Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2016) Waterfront Landing working to up commercial space-^
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2016) Downtown Squamish is quickly growing – and changing-^
- (The Squamish Chief – Dec 2016) – unrelated – News Briefs: Woodfibre and gondola spills
- (The Squamish Chief – Sep 2016) – unrelated – Spill at Woodfibre LNG site in Squamish
- (The Squamish Chief – Aug 2016) Developing Squamish-^
- (Squamish Reporter – May 19, 2020) Dutch-style public plaza proposed in Downtown Squamish-^
- (The Squamish Chief – May 2016) Construction on Oceanfront to begin soon – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Apr 2016) Contaminated waste being removed from barge, officials say – + (Newport=Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Apr 2016) Pilings being removed from Mamquam Blind Channel -^(Interfor)
- (Squamish Reporter – Apr 2016) – other– Let’s Start to Think Like a Tourist in Squamish-*
- (The Squamish Chief – Feb 2016) – other – Squamish’s changing business landscape-*
Links – Squamish Timeline 2009-2014
- (Squamish Reporter – Nov 2014) Council Jumped the Gun in Selecting Developer: Former SODC Chair-^
- (Squamish Reporter – Oct 2014) Solterra Offered $20 Million for Squamish Oceanfront-^
- (The Squamish Chief – Aug 2014) – other – Walking on water-*
- (Squamish Reporter – May 2013) Solterra Business Park Project Moves Ahead-^
- (Squamish Reporter – Jan 2013) Business Owner Blames District for Water and Sewer Problems – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Jan 2013) – unrelated old pulp mill – Former Woodfibre site tentatively sold
- (Squamish Reporter – Jan 2012) – Tax Exemptions for Downtown Squamish in the Offing-^
- (Squamish Reporter – Jan 2012) – Will Kingswood Get Third Time Lucky-*
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2011) – Oceanfront plans don’t add up – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Nov 2011) – other – Sea to Sky Gondola project supported-*
- (The Squamish Chief – July 2011) – other – Home-baked recipes for success-*
- (Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation, June 2011) Mamquam Blind Sediment Quality Investigation – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief, June 2011) – other – Private firm booking tours at Adventure Centre– *
- (Explore Squamish) – other – Sea to sky Adventure Company (est. 2010)-*
- (The Squamish Chief – Oct 2010) – other – Open mic holds council to account-*
- (The Squamish Chief – June 2010) – other-1997 GAS proposal resurfaces*
- (The Squamish Chief – July 2009 opinion letter) – other – Support Gas*
Links – Squamish Timeline 2004 -07
- (The Squamish Chief – Sep 2007) Waterfront Landing goes to public hearing – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – June 2007) Waterfront Landing inches forward – (Interfor)
- (Squamish Affordable Housing Task Force minutes – Mar 2007) – presentation by Mike Bosa^
- (Squamish Affordable Housing Task Force minutes – Mar 2006) – presentation by Mike Bosa^
- (Bosa Properties) – About^
- (The Squamish Chief – July 2005) Planning under way for Interfor mill lands – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – April 2005) $800M housing development proposed for Interfor mill site – (Interfor)
- (The Squamish Chief – Sep 2004) Sawmill gone for good – (Interfor)
- The Squamish Chief – Mar 2004) SPECIAL REPORT: A Toxic Legacy? – (Nexen)
- (The Squamish Chief – Feb 2004) Big dreams on the waterfront – (Nexen)
This story was originally posted Dec 15th, additional material added Dec 16, and more links added (to help establish a timeline) on Dec 20/21, 2020.
Top photo credit: A lone tug by Steven Pisano via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)

This program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative.
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