(Tribes sign posted on Indian Road)
Cowichan Tribes issues stop-work orders for unauthorized dumping at five lots on Indian Road
‘The individual coordinating the dumping activities is cooperating,’ according to written statement
Cowichan Tribes says stop-work orders have been issued for unauthorized dumping at five lots on its Indian Road reserve in North Cowichan.
In a published statement, Tribes says the individual coordinating the dumping activities is cooperating, including by:
— Providing all required soil quality assessments.
— Voluntarily paying a fine upon learning they were out of compliance.
— Actively working with Lulumexun staff to come into compliance.
The statement from Chief Administrative Officer Alistair MacGregor is dated Jan. 29 — one day after sixmountains.ca reported that Tribes had posted a stop-work order on properties in the 5300-block of Indian Road in North Cowichan.
Read more: https://www.sixmountains.ca/article/39b7e6ef-e601-44ae-a41f-d882d4bf86ab
MacGregor’s statement also says:
“In late Fall 2025, staff at Cowichan Tribes’ Lulumexun (Lands and Natural Resources) department became aware of the import of materials to five lots on Indian Road. The lots, 291, 291-1, 288-3, 288-4, and 545, are governed under Cowichan Tribes’ Land Code and Waste Management Bylaw. These lots are a different location than the illegal dump site that is subject to a Ministry of Environment Pollution Prevention order issued in October 2025.
“Staff conducted a review of the activities taking place at the lots. Once it was confirmed that no authorizations had been issued and the activities were in contravention of the Cowichan Tribes Waste Management Bylaw, a cease-and-desist letter was delivered and stop work orders were posted at the lots in January 2026.”
The statement adds: “Staff will continue to assess and monitor these sites, enforce our bylaws, and take additional actions as appropriate. Cowichan Tribes remains committed to strengthening our environmental stewardship capacity across our territory. We appreciate the support that we have received from citizens and partners for this work to protect our lands and waters.”
(Stop-work ordered issued for dump site on Indian Road).
David Karn, spokesman for the BC Ministry of Environment, told sixmountains.ca on Friday that the province has been in contact with Cowichan Tribes and is “continuing to monitor the situation.”
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— Larry Pynn, Jan. 30, 2026
