Environment and Conservation
Natural Resources
March 23, 2010Budget 2010 to
Include $10 Million for Contaminated Sites
Budget 2010 will reaffirm the Provincial Government's
commitment to the remediation of contaminated sites with a total
investment of $10 million to address environmental and safety issues
associated with the former mine in Buchans and the former United States
military station in Hopedale. The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister
of Environment and Conservation, and the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale,
Minister of Natural Resources, made the announcement today.
"Public health and safety remains a priority for our
government, and our significant commitment in Budget 2010 for
remediation efforts speaks to this focus," said Minister Johnson. "Based
on environmental testing conducted in these areas, and the concerns
raised by residents, we are reaffirming our commitment to address the
health and safety issues associated with these sites,"
A total of $4 million has been allocated to the
Department of Environment and Conservation to cap the tailings spill
area in Buchans, one of the sources of the metals contamination in the
town, 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 in Buchans and surrounding communities related to the potential
failure of the Buchans tailings dam. The funding will provide for the
emergency repair and reconstruction of the tailings dam to prevent a
potential contamination hazard to Buchans.
"Leaving the tailings dam in its current condition is
unacceptable and we are acting swiftly to address the issues identified,
as we did at the former Baie Verte and Rambler mine sites in previous
budgets," said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural
Resources. "A failure of the Buchans tailings dam could release sulphide
tailings into the Buchans River and Red Indian Lake, and impact the
western part of the town, which is something we do not want to happen.
Given the emergency nature of the work, it is absolutely crucial to
begin as soon as possible to minimize any potential hazards."
Preliminary design on the workplan is now in its final
stages and once complete, a contract will be awarded for project
management and more detailed design work for the project. Abitibi is
legally responsible for the remediation of the Buchans site. The
province is exploring all legal avenues to ensure that Abitibi lives up
to this responsibility.
"Our government is following through on its Blueprint
commitment to identify and address contaminated sites of concern in the
province," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, MHA Grand Falls-Windsor-Buchans.
"This is a significant investment in the rehabilitation of the former
mine site at Buchans, and I am most pleased that our government has
heard the concerns of the people of the area and is moving forward with
a remediation plan."
An additional investment of $1 million through the
Department of Environment and Conservation will assist with the
environmental clean up of the former United States military site in
Hopedale.
"As a government, we have made a commitment to
remediating contaminated sites in the province, and I am pleased that
Hopedale will be addressed this year," said the Honourable Patty Pottle,
MHA for Torngat Mountains. "This funding represents an investment in the
environment and our people."
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