Muggah Creek Watershed

Separation zones near watershed stalled by government process

By Tanya Collier, Cape Breton Post, May 6, 1999
The definition and implementation of separation zones for residents near Canada’s worst toxic waste dump has been stalled.

Francis Sirois, chair of environmental data gathering and research assessments (EDGAR) working group within JAG, said the terms of reference for the separation zones previously approved by EDGAR were changed significantly by government partners and must be reapproved by the working group.

“We are one month behind,” said Sirois.

The problem arose because “upper levels of government were not thinking along the same lines as JAG.”

Sirois said there was some difficulty in the interpretation of the scope and intent of the terms of reference proposed by the group.

Government was given until June 1 to define and implement the separation zones needed during a planned cleanup of the area.

“Not one speck of dust will be moved by June 1 – unless someone has a magic wand,” admitted Sirois.

Once the terms of reference for tenders is approved, the government will have to issue the tenders – a process that could take upwards of six weeks unless shortcuts are taken. Then, the separation zones will have to be implemented.

Feds agree to fund tar ponds cleanup

May 6, 1999

OTTAWA - The federal government will provide funding to clean up the Sydney tar ponds when the community asks for it, Environment ** Minister Christine Stewart said Wednesday.

Ms. Stewart told New Democrat MP Peter Mancini that the environmental mess is a concern for the government. She denied suggestions nothing has been done about the problem.

"Tests have been done. . . . They are undergoing analysis right now and there will be reports out on them shortly," the minister said in the Commons.

However, Mr. Mancini said Ottawa is only paying lip service to a problem that Cape Bretoners have been living with for years.

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