The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Environment and Conservation; the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services; and the Honourable Susan Sullivan, MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans, met with residents of Buchans last evening to discuss the results of a risk assessment study of the town's public spaces and residential properties. Remediation plans were also outlined for several areas of the former mining properties that continue to contribute to the heavy metal contamination in the town.

"We made a commitment to the people of Buchans that we would address their public health and safety concerns, and we want to keep the residents informed throughout the process," said Minister Johnson. "We want to share the results of the risk assessment that was conducted pertaining to the testing of public spaces and residential properties in the town. We also want to inform residents about our remediation plans for the tailings spill area and Mucky Ditch, two of the primary sources of contamination. Together, with the commitment our government made in Budget 2010 to address the tailings dams, we are responding to the concerns that were raised."

In 2009, testing was conducted around the perimeter of the town which identified levels of heavy metals in some of the samples which exceeded human health guidelines. Additional testing of public and residential properties was carried out by Conestoga Rovers Associates, as well as the risk assessment study.

Also present at the meeting was Dr. Ray Copes, an external medical consultant, who was retained by the Department of Health and Community Services to review community blood lead test results and the potential impacts on the health and well being of community residents.

"We certainly take this situation very seriously, and to that end we retained the services of Dr. Copes, a highly respected expert in the field of heavy metals contamination," said Minister Kennedy. "Dr. Copes will continue to provide our government with recommendations to consider relating to heavy metal contamination in Buchans, as well as providing advice directly to the town about potential impacts on health and well being. I am pleased that we have been able to act quickly to ensure the health and safety of residents which is a foundation of this government."

"This is a fine example of how a government is responsive to the needs of the people it serves," said Minister Sullivan. "Our government has listened to the concerns that were raised and have come forward with a plan to address this matter. The health and well-being of the residents remains our priority, and we are implementing measures to alleviate any further concerns."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments - For Our Children and Our Future allocated $4 million in the Department of Environment and Conservation to cap the tailings spill area and remediate the area known as the Mucky Ditch. A further allocation of $5 million for the Department of Natural Resources will address the immediate public health and safety issues related to the potential failure of the Buchans tailings dams.

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