The decision by Metro Vancouver's solid waste committee to recommend building a trash incinerator in the region has disappointed the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and Chilliwack Mayor Sharon Gaetz.

The committee agreed Wednesday to recommend that the Metro board approve the amended solid waste management plan, which includes investigating "additional publicly-owned waste-to-energy capacity" in Metro Vancouver.

Chilliwack chamber president Jason Lum was at the meeting and he said there were "minimal changes" made to the draft proposal that was presented in Chilliwack on June 16, a proposal that was widely opposed by local residents, including Gaetz and Chilliwack MLA John Les.

"I am extremely disappointed in some of the members of the Metro's Solid Waste Committee's decision to recommend the in-region incinerator option to the board," Gaetz told the Times Thursday. "The reasoning employed is not only unneighbourly, but has no basis in science or economics." Lum agreed.

"Although the Fraser Valley taxpayer sadly can do little to hold Metro Vancouver politicians accountable for the decision made today they will have to be accountable to their own tax base in their local jurisdictions when they find out the financial planning for the in-region incinerator has been woefully inadequate and poorly communicated," Lum said in a press release issued Wednesday.

The Metro board will consider the plan on July 30 before it goes to Environment Minister and Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner for final approval. Penner has previously stated that Metro has other options besides in-region incineration, including expanding the Cache Creek landfill and a proposal by Covanta Energy to build an incinerator in Gold River on Vancouver Island.

The FVRD responded Wednesday with criticism of the decision.

"To say we are disappointed in this decision is an understatement," said Abbotsford Coun. Patricia Ross and FVRD board chair.

phenderson@chilliwacktimes.com