January 17, 1996
(Environment)
 

Minister Gives Long Harbour Cleanup Green Light

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, announced today that approval to proceed with remediation of the phosphorous plant site at Long Harbour has been given to Albright and Wilson Americas (AWA). The minister said that the decision, which follows one of the province's most lengthy and thorough environmental assessments, is good news for the people of Long Harbour and the province. "We have taken great pains to ensure that the safest and most environmentally sound method of remediation was chosen. It has been a long and thorough process but one that is worthy of the care and caution we have exercised in this case," the minister said. "I am pleased to able to tell you today that the EIS submitted by Albright and Wilson is accepted and the project is approved for implementation as proposed in the EIS. The people of Long Harbour can now look forward to getting on with redevelopment plans. The decommissioning is expected to take up to five years, will generate a number of jobs, and the project will cost in the vicinity of $20 - $25 million," he said.

The Environmental Impact Statement on the cleanup was ordered on August 14, 1989. Part 1 of the EIS, in which issues were identified, site conditions described and a decommissioning plan outlined, was approved by government in 1992. Since that time, the alternatives for dealing with phosphorus�contaminated waste have proceeded through a series of assessment processes to determine the best cleanup option. The options examined include in-situ containment of the material which consolidates and confines it, and treatment and engineered landfilling. The minister said: "The option of in�situ containment was chosen after numerous consultations with experts in the field."

Since the project was registered for environmental assessment in 1989, 22 studies were conducted by environmental consulting firms. And just this past fall, an independent review by Smith Environmental of California was undertaken to ensure that all alternatives had been thoroughly examined and the proposed method of in-situ containment is the most appropriate for the situation. Smith concurred that "because of the hazards associated with moving the large volume of contaminated wastes, in-situ containment should be implemented."

Mr. Aylward commended the company, AWA, for their unwavering commitment to thorough remediation of the site. He noted the company will retain liability for the site after decommissioning and that Tenneco Inc., the parent company of AWA at the time of the plant shut�down, has guaranteed the company's obligations. Furthermore, AWA is reimbursing the government for the cost of the independent study conducted by Smith Environmental and has agreed to fund incremental costs that will be incurred by government in monitoring the decommissioning project.

The minister expressed government's appreciation to the public stakeholders, but especially the Long Harbour local of the United Steelworkers Union and the Town of Long Harbour and Mount Arlington Heights, both of which have devoted considerable time and resources to the assessment process. Mr. Aylward also thanked the staff of the Environmental Assessment Division in the Environment department and other divisions of his department and other provincial and federal government departments who were involved. "In coming to grips with such complex and demanding problems involved in this project, they have demonstrated the positive value of the provinces's environmental assessment process."

Contact: Teddy Ryan, Director of Public Relations, (709) 729-2575.

1996 01 17 10:40 a.m.

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