WHAT HAPPENED?
Juanita K. was one of several residents who wrote to us about an agricultural feedlot in a rural Alberta county. She complained that the feedlot produced a strong, unpleasant odour as well as light pollution, which made living nearby challenging for Juanita and her family.
WHAT DID THE OMBUDSMAN’S OFFICE DO?
Our office discovered that the concerns fell under the purview of separate administrative authorities. Complaints about the odour from a feedlot were a matter for the Natural Resource Conservation Board (NRCB), while complaints about light were handled by the municipality.
Regarding the unpleasant smell, the NRCB took us through their complaint process and the numerous steps they had taken to address the matter. They responded to complaints through regular public updates and had dedicated significant time and resources to working with the feedlot operators on potential solutions.
In looking at the brightness complaints, the municipality informed us that the feedlot was in fact in violation of their bylaws regulating light and that they were working with the feedlot operators to bring this into compliance.
WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?
Through our independent, impartial review, we found that the NRCB’s response to residents about a properly permitted business was reasonable, in keeping with the rules, and procedurally fair.
The municipality, for their part, committed to increased transparency when it comes to communicating updates about light pollution with the community.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Sometimes, clear communication can make it easier to accept an unpleasant situation. In this case, our office reassured a complainant about how the feedlot was in compliance, how they weren’t in compliance, and how residents could expect improved communication in the future.
