An Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) hearing in respect to the decision of Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to issue Thorlakson Nature's Call an Administrative Penalty of nearly $1.5 million for alleged contraventions at their Class One composting facility near Airdrie has been rescheduled.  

The hearing was initially scheduled to be held via video conference on November 4th but will now go Wednesday, November 25th at 8:30 am and will also be heard via video.  

The EAB gave no reason for the change of date in a media release.

Applications to intervene in the hearing were due October 28th.  The board received just one but it was denied.

The hearing is to receive submissions regarding AEP's issuance of Administrative Penalty No. EPEA-19/10-AP-SSR-20/01 in the amount of $1,486,861.49 for alleged contraventions at the composting facility.

As the hearing will be held over video conference, it won't be open to the public for viewing.  The EAB is a separate and independent body that reviews certain decisions made by Alberta Environment and Parks.  It is comprised of environmental experts from different fields.  

The penalty was handed down to Thorlakson by the department after Rocky View County (RVC) enforced compliance measures against the compost facility that it failed to meet the required deadlines and conditions for a Development Permit application. 

On June 11th, 2019, Rocky View Council voted to shut the facility down.  Residents of the county and the City of Airdrie had formed a group called 'Stop The Stench' to protest the odours that emanated from the facility.  

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