St. George's South Member of Parliament Rick Spurling yesterday struck back against criticism he has kept his constituents in the dark about a new compost facility being planned for St. David's and revealed that he too has concerns about the location of the facility.

"I guess it's easy for the Opposition to just stand up and make noise, but notwithstanding (Opposition MP) Mr. Williams I've been very active on this for the past four or five weeks,'' Mr. Spurling told The Royal Gazette .

His comments follow charges by the Progressive Labour Party's Leon (Jimmy) Williams, who said last week in the House of Assembly residents of the Texas Road area in St. David's were concerned, but not being informed, about plans by New Hampshire-based Bioferm Compost Systems International to build an industrial compost operation at Corregidor Avenue, in the Annie's Bay area.

Operating as Bermuda Compost Systems International, Bioferm has planning and environmental clearance to build an "in-vessel'' compost facility which will turn horticultural and restaurant waste -- mixed with lesser amounts of human waste -- into humus-rich soil.

"The first thing I did when I heard about this was to contact the Bermuda Land Development Company, then I contacted the (American) principles involved and learned they were planning on coming to the Island,'' Mr. Spurling said.

Together with running mate Grace Bell and five St. David's community members, Mr. Spurling met with the American investors at the Black Horse Tavern to learn more about Bioferm's operation.

"Of course one of the first things you're concerned about is the smell and vermin problem, but I think they've (Bioferm) dealt with those issues,'' said Mr. Spurling.

He indicated, however, he has concerns with the proposed site of the facility.

"This thing is going to go into a grey-zone, an area zoned for Government use. But we're not particularly happy with its location, given its proximity to the (St. David's) Lighthouse, Clearwater Beach, and surrounding parkland.

The facility will be hidden behind a stand of trees and Bioferm has said they will build a berm to lessen its visual impact said Mr. Spurling, but there is another solution. "There are a number of red-zones reserved for industrial use on the base and we'd prefer to see it go there.'' Meanwhile, beyond the visual impact it will have on that area, there are also concerns over increased truck traffic and the limited space for expansion of the facility, he said.

Those concerns, said Mr. Spurling, have been expressed in a letter to the Ministers of the Environment and Works and Engineering, as well as to Bioferm officials.

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HOA