NLIS 4
February 18, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)

Phase I of environmental clean-up at former military site in St. Anthony completed

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne said today that phase I of the environmental clean-up at the former military site in St. Anthony has been completed.

The remediation work involved the excavation and shipment of PCB-contaminated soil and debris from one of the two landfills at the site to licensed disposal facilities outside of the province. "I am pleased that this phase of the clean-up has been completed to our satisfaction, resulting in approximately 500 tonnes of PCB soil removed from the site, as well as debris such as wood and metal," said Minister Osborne. "With the completion of this aspect of the clean-up we will now focus our attention on developing a work plan to address the remaining PCB contaminants in the second landfill at the former military site, as well as the contaminated soil containing hydrocarbons."

Matrix Environmental of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was awarded the contract for phase I of the environmental clean-up in St. Anthony in autumn 2004. The clean-up was completed in late December 2004. The contract was valued at $788,583.

Minister Osborne said the issue of contaminated sites is one that government takes seriously. "We are committed to protecting the environment, which includes taking action to address contaminated sites. We will continue to clean up sites around the province on a priority basis and as fiscal resources allow."

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover, Communications (709) 729-2575, 685-6612

2005 02 18                     2:40 p.m.