Earthworks Industries Provides Update of Waste Handling Project in Cortina Rancheria

VANCOUVER, BC- Earthworks Industries Inc. (the "Company"), is pleased to provide this update on the status of the development of its integrated waste handling project at the Cortina Rancheria in Colusa County, California. The project is being developed by the Company's wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Cortina Integrated Waste Management Inc. (CIWM). 

With federal approval, CIWM holds a lease of 443 acres of the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation's Cortina Rancheria for the development of an integrated waste handling operation, which includes a material recovery system, composting, contaminated soil, and landfill operations.

Over the past several months the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 9, has been completing its review for tentative approval of the remaining Site-Specific Flexibility Requests (SSFRs) pursuant to the EPA's Draft Guidance for municipal waste landfills in Indian Country.

The Draft Guidance suggests a 90 day period for EPA's response to these submissions, but EPA's ongoing review has taken somewhat longer than anticipated.

On August 11, 2023, the Company received a letter from EPA stating that it is completing the review and is planning to issue a comprehensive response to the SSFRs later this calendar year. Our patience on this matter was acknowledged.

One of the key benefits of this successful regulatory process is that the precedent at Cortina will not only have significant beneficial impact in the region, but it will also potentially open the door to future similar developments by the Company elsewhere in Indian Country.

David Atkinson, President/Chief Executive Officer of Earthworks Industries commented, "We completely understand and appreciate EPA's diligence in completing the current stage of approval at Cortina and we look forward to continued collaboration between EPA, CIWM and the Tribe in getting the SSFRs through the federal approval process."