Five Island Lake Cleanup Advances

The final phase of the environmental cleanup of the north bay at Five Island Lake, Halifax County, is about to start. The Department of Transportation and Public Works has put out a tender for the second phase of dredging the PCB-contaminated sediment in the north bay.

John Hoyt, chairman of the Five Island Lake Community Liaison Committee said the dream of enjoying the entire lake again is finally within sight.

"The people in this community are proud of what we've done with the government these past six years," said Mr. Hoyt. "Removing the PCBs from the north bay will be an enormous step in protecting this beautiful watershed from further damage. And it proves that community groups and government can work together."

The tender closes June 15. Work should begin in July and be completed in the fall. The provincial government committed the necessary funding in this year's budget to complete the dredging and disposal work.

"The community in general and the community liaison committee in particular, have been wonderfully supportive and constructive every step of the way," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "And now we are close to achieving our goal of reclaiming the entire lake for the people and for the environment."

The first phase of dredging was finished in early April. So far, 58 trailer loads of contaminated sediments have been sent to Quebec for disposal.

The PCB contamination is the sad legacy of what is now recognized as poor disposal practises in the1960s and 1970s.