JAG roundtable sets date to implement separation zones
by Tanya Collier, Cape Breton Post, February 25, 1999Government has until June 1 to define and implement separation zones for residents near Canada's worst toxic waste dump.
During Joint action Group (JAG) roundtable Wednesday, a motion was passed that advised government partners to begin the process "quickly."
The motion was presented by Francis Sirois, chair of environmental data gathering and research assessments (EDGAR) working group.
"It will make nearby residents a high priority," he said.
JAG shouldn't have to wait another year before resuming activity, continued Sirois. Cleanup of the coke oven site was underway when the province decided to cancel the project in January. The majority of the work had been completed, but an environmental assessment wasn't acceptable to federal and provincial regulators who requested additional information.
Wilf Kaiser, Department of Environment and JAG member, said although he is concerned about residents around the cleanup area, the implications of defining and implementing separation zones are broad and it will be difficult for government to adhere to the deadline imposed.
"We agree with the motion, but have difficulty with the date. We don't want to end up taking flack if we haven't met the date."
He preferred to see the deadline changed to "as soon as possible."
Doug MacKinlay, member of JAG, said the government appeared to be more concerned about getting "flack" than the health of people located near the site."
"There is an immediate concern by Frederick and Tupper Street residents," he said.
MacKinlay added he hoped government won't wait to reach the deadline before taking action.
"They should be moved even sooner."
Elizabeth May, executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada and JAG member, suggested levels of government should use their own resources to develop the criteria needed so they could save time by skipping a tendering process.
They shouldn't have to hire consultants."
Juanita McKenzie, member of JAG and Frederick Street resident, outlined her concerns during hte session.
"This is a life and death situation. I'd like you to keep that in mind as you are discussing this."
All members attending the roundtable session did approve the motion except Glenn Hanam, Cape Breton Industrial Board of Trade.
In a report commissioned by Supply and Services Canada for JAG and completed by the Cape Breton firm, CBCL Ltd., and Conestoga-Rovers and Associates of Waterloo, Ont., it was recommended separation zones be created. The zones could include the homes and businesses of a few hundred people near the .
The evaluation offers a number of interim measures and recommendations to prevent further contamination including regular inspections of the site; additional fencing around the property; disposal of the DOMTAR tank; dust control measures; health and safety plans.
Move residents by June 1: JAG
By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau, Chronicle Herald, February 25, 1999Sydney - The provincial and federal governments have been given
a June 1 deadline to move residents off Frederick Street.
The Joint Action Group for Environmental Cleanup voted
overwhelmingly Wednesday night to implement a separation zone
around the toxic former coke ovens site.
Slawna Lamont, vice-chairwoman of the citizens committee
charged with cleaning up hazardous waste in the Muggah Creek
watershed, said the move should be funded for humanitarian
reasons.
"This is a life-and-death situation for us," said Frederick Street
resident Juanita McKenzie.
Residents say living near the site has made them sick.
Wilf Kaizer of the provincial Public Works Department - the lead
provincial agency in the cleanup of waste generated over more
than a century of steelmaking at provincially owned Sydney Steel -
attempted to have the date removed from the motion. But the
group stood firm.
"The provincial government has known about this for a long, long
time," JAG member Doug MacKinley said. "They should be
moved out even sooner."
"It is our hope that our government partners will react swiftly to the
motion passed here tonight," said Carl Buchanan, who chairs
JAG.
The recommendation is part of a report done by CBCL Ltd. and
Conestoga-Rovers, which suggested separation zones around the
entire toxic waste site in downtown Sydney.
"If they can't meet that date, they should be brought to task," said
JAG member Eric Brophy.
PUBLICATION -- CP Wire
DATE: Wed 24 Feb 1999
SECTION/CATEGORY Atlantic regional general news
STORY LENGTH 239 SYDNEY, N.S. (CP) The federal and provincial governments have been given
until June 1 to move residents from a Sydney neighbourhood where toxins
ooze from the ground.
The Joint Action Group passed a motion Wednesday night that advised federal
and provincial partners involved in the cleanup of the Muggah Creek
watershed to move quickly on the relocation of those on Frederick Street.
``This is a life and death situation,'' said Juanita McKenzie, a JAG member
and Frederick Street resident.
Wilf Kaiser, an Environment Department employee and JAG member, tried to
have the deadline dropped from the motion but it passed as is.
``We agree with the motion but have difficulty with the date,'' he said.
``We don't want to end up taking flak if we haven't met the date.''
Doug MacKinlay, another JAG member, said the government appears to be more
concerned about receiving flak than the health of people.
MacKinlay added he hoped governments won't wait to reach the deadline
before taking action.
Residents of Frederick Street, in Sydney's Whitney Pier, have pressed the
province to relocat them since toxins were discovered near their homes.
The relocation recommendation is part of a report commissioned by Supply
and Services Canada for JAG and completed by the Cape Breton firm, CBCL
Ltd., and Conestoga Rovers and Associates of Waterloo, Ont.
The report also recommends separation zones be created around Sydney's tar
ponds and Sydney Steel's former coke ovens site. (Cape Breton Post)
Board of Trade opposes video in JAG website
