JAG Tenders to be Released

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Public Works, working with the Joint Action Group, will be releasing two tenders on Saturday, Aug. 28. One is for the development and implementation of the Phase 2/Phase 3 environmental site assessment, the other for a project management consultant.

Both tenders are in support of Joint Action Group activities and were developed along with provincial, federal and municipal government partners.

The Joint Action Group is the community group responsible for making recommendations to government for the cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens sites.

The Phase 2/Phase 3 site assessment will follow a scientific approach endorsed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. This is a phased approach to the cleanup, providing a step-by-step method to ensure long-term environmental protection and to make the site safe for any possible future use.

Through the Phase 2/Phase 3 site assessment, the chosen consultant will determine which contaminants are on the site and how widespread they may be. These site assessments are required before any remediation work can take place on the site.

Dan Fraser, chair of the Joint Action Group, is pleased the tenders are underway.

"This is a complicated site. The cleanup takes time. With the release of the Phase 2/Phase 3 tender we can get the information we need to develop solutions to cleaning up the coke ovens and tar ponds," said Mr. Fraser.

The project management tender calls for a consultant to provide overall project management and contract administration services. The project manager will manage all contracts relating to the project. The chosen consultant will provide a full range of project management services, including: financial accounting and reporting; ensuring health and safety; co-ordinating different contractors on the site; and liaising between the government partners, Joint Action Group and contractors.

"Soon, we'll be in a position where there will be several different contracts all running at the same time," said Mr. Fraser. "It's important to have a project manager on side to ensure these individual projects run smoothly so the cleanup can proceed in an efficient and timely manner."

The Joint Action Group is a partner in the cleanup with the province of Nova Scotia, the government of Canada and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

Both the Phase 2/Phase 3 tender and the project management tender are part of the cost-share agreement between the federal, provincial and municipal governments. In May 1999, the three levels of government allocated $62 million over the next three years to support projects identified by the Joint Action Group.

arc 27 August 1999 11:52 a.m.