Budget Backgrounder: Improving the Environment

The Nova Scotia government recognizes the critical importance of a clean environment for all Nova Scotians. Today, as part of the 1999-2000 budget, Finance Minister Don Downe committed significant funding to address environmental concerns in the province.

"A clean environment is an investment in future generations," said Mr. Downe. "We're demonstrating our commitment by supporting important environmental cleanup projects and initiatives across Nova Scotia."

In 1999-2000, $2 million is committed to the cleanup of PCB contamination in Five Island Lake. The money will allow dredging of the north bay to begin and is another major step toward cleaning the lake. A community liaison committee leading the Five Island Lake cleanup drive identified dredging as a priority. Once it is completed, all contaminated materials will be removed from the area.

"Our consultation with the community liaison committee helped us set the priorities every step of the way," said Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "It is a model of how consultation should work. The government recognizes the dedication of committee members in the progress that has been made here."

A unique community approach is at the heart of another environmental cleanup project in Nova Scotia, the Sydney tar ponds. The Joint Action Group for the cleanup of the tar ponds involves participation from three levels of government and the community. It entrenches the commitment to clean up the tar ponds and coke ovens site through a process that is transparent, consultative, and socially and fiscally responsible.

The Sydney tar ponds cleanup process will see the benefits of a continued strong provincial commitment. Over the next three years, the province will spend $21.4 million as part of a $62-million federal-provincial commitment to the cleanup effort; $2.5-million will be spent by the province this year.

Government is also targeting $500,000 in this year's budget to improve sand and salt storage at Transportation and Public Works bases throughout the province. This is a pre-emptive measure to prevent salt contamination.

And $300,000 is committed to remediation at Boat Harbour. The funds will support continuing studies and monitoring on the site and support increased community involvement in the project.