Cheam First Nation is sounding the alarm about an illegal composting operation on their reserve, east of Chilliwack, with leachate considered "acutely lethal to fish."

"Recently, we discovered that a repeat offender known to Environment Canada has been operating a questionable composting facility on a private property within the Cheam Reserve," according to the release from Cheam First Nation Jan. 7.

"It saddens us to know that while working so hard to protect the waters and land around our traditional territory this encounter happened so close to home."

Cheam officials have contacted the certificate-of-possession (CP) holder on reserve with a view to managing the impacted site in the short term, and remediating eventually with a cleanup, according to their laws.

"The first testing results, completed by federal officers from ECCC with support from Cheam lands staff, revealed that the leachate from the composting piles is considered acutely lethal to fish," according to the Jan. 8 update from Cheam.

The site where the piles of compost-like material is on the eastern side of Cheam IR #1.

The land was leased out by the CP holder to Fraser Valley Renewables, which also operates as Fraser Valley Agri-Waste Solutions Ltd., an entity with more than 20 environmental infractions listed against it, the Cheam update alleges.

It is believed by nation officials that the material consists of 鈥榦vers鈥� which is a poor-quality compost-like material that may pose a significant harm to the environment, according to the update. As a result they say the operation was required to cease any discharge, address the impact on the environment, and prevent further discharge, with a stop work order.

鈥淭his is our land, we must care for everything that belongs to us," is how Cheam law was translated roughly into English from Halq'em茅ylem.

Cheam officials added they have worked with partners and government agencies on files as diverse as mining, environment, and agriculture in the past year, demonstrating leadership on the changes that are needed.

When it comes to the environment, leadership is cognizant "these are far-reaching issues and change doesn鈥檛 come without a cost."

Environment Canada officials confirmed they were on-site last month to investigate.

"Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) takes pollution incidents and threats to the environment very seriously," according to an emailed response to questions about the compost operation.

Enforcement officers are the ones responsible for verifying that companies and individuals comply with the Fisheries Act, and prohibit  "the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish."

Environment officials conducted an inspection at the site on Dec. 6, 2024 to verify compliance with the Fisheries Act.

"When there is sufficient evidence of an alleged violation, enforcement officers take appropriate action in accordance with the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Habitat Protection and Pollution Prevention Provisions of the Fisheries Act.

"As this is an active enforcement file, ECCC Enforcement cannot provide further information at this time."

Cheam First Nation is part of the Pel贸lxw tribe of St贸:l艒 Xwelmexw peoples and the larger Coast Salish Indigenous peoples of the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Northern Washington state.