|
Minister announces action plan for stockpile of tires in Stephenville Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne announced today that government has successfully entered into an agreement with Newfoundland Envirotire Shreds Incorporated (NETS) that will allow immediate action to be taken to address the stockpile of tires at NETS� facility in Stephenville. Minister Osborne said that NETS has agreed to turn ownership of its tire inventory over to the Crown, and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB) will properly store and permanently dispose of the tires on behalf of the minister. NETS will be required to reimburse MMSB for the clean-up of the tires at Stephenville from any net proceeds it receives from the sale of any of its assets. The minister said government closely reviewed all of its options to address the issue when NETS did not respond to a Ministerial Order to clean up the site. "Government has acted appropriately and within legislative guidelines in dealing with the stockpile of tires at Stephenville over the past several months, including the issuance of a Ministerial Order," said Minister Osborne. "We could continue to pursue legal action against NETS under the Environmental Protection Act; however, the reality is that NETS does not have the financial resources to deal with the tire situation at Stephenville. We, therefore, feel the most prudent approach at this time is to gain ownership of the tire inventory, immediately alleviate the fire and safety concerns that exist with the stockpile and ultimately dispose of all the tires in an appropriate manner." The minister noted that because the tires are the private property of NETS, government could not, under the governing legislation, simply go onto the site and take ownership of the tires for the purpose of their removal and permanent disposal. The agreement with NETS allows this to occur. "This is a better solution than just taking control of the site under the Environmental Protection Act for the purpose of re-arranging the tires to conform to regulatory standards without having the means to actually dispose of them," said the minister. As part of the agreement with NETS to release its tires to government, the Ministerial Order issued earlier to the company has been rescinded as the MMSB will now deal with the stockpile of tires and carry out the requirements of the Order on behalf of the minister. Government has assumed ownership of the tire inventory only, and will not be responsible for any other property or liabilities held by NETS. MMSB will work closely with the Town of Stephenville to store the complete tire inventory in full compliance with all regulatory standards. Work at Stephenville is expected to begin in the first week of January. MMSB will then allow access to that inventory by any successful bidder through the call for proposals for the processing and recycling of used tires in the province that is to be issued by MMSB in early 2005. Minister Osborne said he briefed the Mayor of Stephenville on the action plan and has been assured of the full support of the town in its implementation. Mayor Cecil Stein said: "I am extremely pleased that government will be taking action to address the tires that are stockpiled in Stephenville. The stockpile has been a major concern for us for quite some time and I am now confident that the issue will be dealt with. The town will work with government and MMSB in whatever way possible as we bring this issue to a successful conclusion." The minister acknowledged the support of the mayor and thanked the town for its patience as government worked through this difficult issue. Minister Osborne reiterated government�s commitment to an effective used tire recycling program for the province and said it will continue to take strategic and prudent action to get the program back on track permanently. Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575 or 685-6612 2004 12 20 3:50 p.m.
|
||
|
