JAG vice-chair proposed experts be employed
to present options
by Tanya Collier
The new vice chair of the Joint Action Group (JAG)
outlined a "thought provoking" proposal to members during
their monthly roundtable in Sydney Wednesday.
Slawa Lamont, a resident of Margaree who is also a
physicist with a PhD in environmental chemistry, said in
order to expediate the cleanup of Muggah Creek
Watershed, she proposes the community volunteer group
employ a group of experts.
The proposed advisory group would prepare a rational
basis for decisions and would create a list of projects
essential for the cleanup process for JAG's working groups
to contemplate.
"We'ıre calling for a group of experts - independent of
Cape Breton - to give us a reasonable basis for decisions.
Somebody has to chew through the facts to present
options," she said.
Lamont proposed the experts meet quarterly in Sydney
with the meetings open to the community to produce a list
of recommendations based on "facts, results of analysis
and best state of knowledge."
She also proposed JAG's government partners undertake
a feasibility study to establish an Environmental Research
Centre in Sydney, which would conduct research under
the direction of JAG.
The centre would make it possible for the community to
participate and do lab work such as soil and water testing,
she said.
Residents have little faith in cleanup
Halifax Chronicle Herald, November 26, 1998
SYDNEY - Industrial Cape Bretoners lack confidence in government's
commitment to cleaning up the tar ponds and coke ovens, a survey by the group
entrusted with that task indicates.
The Joint Action Group surveyed 600 residents, most of whom live within five
kilometres of either contaminated site.
"Respondents indicated they were somewhat uncomfortable with accepting
recommendations for cleanup from government," states the survey summary.
Respondents also feel governments are "somewhat uncommitted to resolving this
issue."
The action group, comprising community and government representatives, was
established two years ago to find the best way to clean up one of Canada's worst
hazardous waste sites - in the in Sydney.
The survey indicated three quarters of respondents were aware of the group but
half of them didn't realize the relationship between it and the government.
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