No word on possible soil contamination
By Steve MacInnis
It will be next week before test results are in on soil
samples taken from two work sites near the toxic
Sydney tar ponds.
Terry MacPherson, a hydro geologist with the
provincial Environment Department, said the
department’s primary concern is the off site
disposal of the soil which is being disturbed by
crews from Nova Scotia Power and a local
contracting firm.
Both sites are located behind the Sydney Shopping
Centre which boarders the famed tar ponds –
considered Canada’s worst toxic waste dump.
The ponds are part of the Muggah Creek
Watershed which is now the target of Canada’s
largest remediation project. A community-based
group is attempting to develop a cleanup plan for
the site.
A strange black goo was noticed seeping from
holes dug by the power company last week and
environment officials were contacted.
MacPherson said the department requested the
power company cordon off the site and store the
material securely on site or on their own adjacent
property.
Samples were sent for analyses and he said it will
likely be next week before the results are back.
February 17, 1999 Press Release from Sierra Club of Canada
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