Sobeys expands onto bad soil -
neighbours
Grocery store should reconsider building on 'goo' -
Sierra Club
By Tera Camus/Chronicle Herald Cape Breton Bureau
February 18, 1999
Sydney - The expansion of Sobeys on the banks of the tar ponds
here has raised the ire of some residents.
"As soon as I saw what they were doing over there I questioned
how Sobeys can get away with building on toxic soil," said Juanita
McKenzie, a resident of Frederick Street who is dealing with her
own toxic soil problems.
"It's not black gold down here, it's black goo."
Several weeks ago, black goo spilled up on the construction site
after several utility poles were imbedded into the pavement.
The provincial Environment Department ordered the soil to be
tested and the results are not yet back.
"The stuff is being tracked through the whole mall," Ms. McKenzie
said. "People are taking it home."
Sobeys manager Ed Beaton refused to comment on the
expansion. Corporate spokesman John Kaizer did not return
several phone calls.
The company began construction several months ago. Hundreds
of massive steel beams were hammered through the pavement
that once served as the Sydney Shopping Centre's rear parking
lot.
That parking lot is adjacent to Muggah Creek. The watershed of
the creek includes the tar ponds.
Heavy equipment is now scrapping off the pavement and workers
are building what looks like a retaining wall along the banks of the
creek, presumably to prepare for any flooding that may occur from
the tar ponds. Most of the soil is not being removed from the site.
Malcolm Gillis, manager of planning for the Cape Breton Regional
Municipality, says Sobeys has all the necessary permits.
"Sobeys is clearly in a zone where an expansion is allowed," he
said.
But the region hasn't developed its own rules concerning
residential and commercial land use since amalgamation
occurred in 1996.
"You won't find a resolution of council endorsing commercial and
industrial development along the shore of the tar pond," he said.
"What they haven't done is repeal the city of Sydney's land-use
bylaw."
In 1997, the municipality considered creating a red zone around
the tar ponds after a developer renovated an apartment too close
to the toxic goo.
"It was never officially adopted by the council as a bylaw or
planned policy," Mr. Gillis said.
The Sierra Club of Canada says Sobeys should stop the
expansion now.
"I think Sobeys should reconsider the project until they figure out
what exactly they're on top of," president Elizabeth May said.
"The extent of contamination, the fact that they would be digging
and this ooze will come up is pretty disturbing," she said.
"It's not healthy that we just act like this is all normal soil, great
building material, when we're right on top of toxic waste."
JAG members meet Pier residents
By Tanya Collier, Cape Breton Post, February 18, 1999
The Joint Action Group (JAG) will hold a number of
community meetings to gain feedback while
informing the public about the cleanup process.
The first session was held Tuesday in Whitney Pier.
Germaine LeMoine, public information officer, said
about 40 residents from Frederick, Tupper, Laurier,
Hankard, Lingan and Maloney streets in Whitney
Pier attended the event.
Dan Fraser, member of the public education and
participation (PEP) working group, chaired the
session. Other members of JAG in attendance
included Mike Britten, JAG’s program co-ordinator
and Barbara Lewis, member of the health studies
working group.
“It was a good discussion.”
Some of the residents major concerns included
introducing separation zones near remediation
sites, as recommended within a report completed
by CBCL Ltd. and Conestoga Rovers Associates
on the Phase 1 Site Assessment of the Muggah
Creek Watershed.
“It was discussed at length.”
The residents were concerned they would have to
relocate during the cleanup process.
“We told them there is nothing definitive.”
JAG coordinator leaving
Second primary burner to be installed at regional incinerator
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