Companies team up to lead tar ponds cleanup
Governments still pondering strategy
By Tanya Collier Macdonald
Cape Breton Post
Fri., Oct. 13, 2006
Sydney - A $30-million contract signed by Earth Tech Canada Inc. has protections
for both the public and the firm as governments ponder the final approval of the
tar ponds cleanup plans.
Joe Sullivan, Earth Tech's project manager, was in Sydney Thursday to announce
the firm, partnered with CBCL Ltd., won the lucrative contract. The team will
carry out the design work and oversee construction contracts aiming to clean up
the tar ponds and coke ovens sites by 2014.
However, federal and provincial governments have yet to approve preliminary
cleanup plans. They're currently reviewing numerous recommendations made in a
joint review panel environmental assessment report and aren't expected to
respond until December.
"We have the foundation to move forward," Sullivan said assuredly during a press
conference at the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency office on Inglis Street. "All the
talking and studying is over. Field work starts next spring."
Earth Tech is also combining its abilities with CBCL, which has operated in
Sydney for about 23 years, to develop an engineering design centre at its
location on the corner of Charlotte and Dorchester streets in Sydney. It's
anticipated the centre will draw international environmental business to the
region.
It's that kind of local economic spinoff that got Earth Tech the points needed
to edge out other proposals, said Frank Potter, the agency's acting chief
executive officer.
Some of the firm's other winning components were aboriginal capacity building, a
strong affirmative action strategy, as well as partnering with Cape Breton
University.
Potter said vendors are required to report on benefits monthly and could face
penalties if reports are incomplete.
To give this community a better understanding of what economic benefits are to
come, the agency, with help from the Cape Breton Partnership, will host an
economic benefits workshop at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre, Oct. 31
tcmacdonald@cbpost.com
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