Tender Call for PCB Clean Up

A tender will be called tomorrow to begin dredging PCB-contaminated sediment from the delta and north bay of Five Island Lake, Halifax County.

"The Five Island Lake community and government have worked diligently to reach this stage," said Clifford Huskilson, Minister of Transportation and Public Works.

PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) contamination in the community and lake system was a result of improper disposal practices during the 1960s and 1970s at an electronics salvage yard. About 75 per cent of the contamination lies within the north bay of Five Island Lake.

The project, developed in co-operation with the citizens liaison committee, calls for dredging sediment from the lake. The dredging of the north bay is expected to be conducted in two phases, with the first phase to be carried out this summer. A community meeting to discuss this plan will be held this month.

Pilot dredge testing carried out last year proved successful.

The tender will close July 14.