Multi-Year Project to Address Further Clean Up in Buchans

Residential and public properties in Buchans impacted by lead tailings from the former mine will be remediated through a multi-year project. The three-year initiative will focus on remediation of the baseball field area in 2011, followed by larger scale residential remediation in 2012 and 2013.

“We are very pleased to be moving into the next stage of remediation in the Town of Buchans, following the initial work which addressed the tailings spill area and Mucky Ditch, the two sources of contamination in the town,” said the Honourable Ross Wiseman, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “We will move forward with remediation efforts regarding the public spaces in Buchans this year, and then embark upon a residential remediation program over the following two years.”

In the fall of 2009, the Provincial Government contracted Conestoga Rovers Limited to conduct soil testing in the Town of Buchans, as a result of environmental concerns arising from the former Abitibi mine site. The testing identified elevated levels of heavy metals in some of the samples, and the Provincial Government made a commitment to address the immediate health concerns of the people. As a result, Budget 2010 allocated $9 million for projects to address the main source areas that were contributing to the lead in soil levels in Buchans. Along with the capping of the tailings spill area and remediation of Mucky Ditch by the Department of Environment and Conservation, the rehabilitation of the tailings dams and capping of exposed tailings by the Department of Natural Resources was also completed.

“Our government continues to respond to the health concerns that were raised by the people of Buchans, and I am delighted that we are approaching the final phase of remediation of the town,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and MHA for Grand Falls-Windsor - Buchans. “A tremendous amount of work has been done to date, and we will continue to work co-operatively with the Town of Buchans to bring this project to a successful close.”

The baseball field area has been identified as one of the highest priority public areas within the town, based on the potential for exposure to the lead impacted soil. With design work underway, it is expected that remediation work on the field will start in late September.

“The residents of Buchans are delighted with today’s announcement of an environmental remediation program for residential and public access areas within the town,” said Derm Corbett, Mayor of Buchans. “Throughout our lengthy struggle to address the environmental legacy of a century of mining by ASARCO and Abitibi, the Provincial Government has stood by our side putting the health of our residents first and foremost. We remain grateful to the Provincial Government and proud of the strong leadership it has shown in support of the people of Buchans.”

Following remediation of these areas, a work plan will be developed to address the impacted residential properties and remaining public spaces. A public Request for Proposals for a consultant to provide design, tender preparation and project management services for the larger scale remediation project was issued on August 20, 2011.

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2011 08 22                                                                        11:15 a.m.