Success at Five Island Lake Watershed

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Success at Five Island Lake Watershed

The province has completed the final phase in a three-year project to remove sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) from the North Bay of Five Island Lake, west of Halifax. The dredging removed more than 98.5 per cent of the PCBs from the bay.

As a result, and based on recommendations from Nova Scotia's Medical Officer of Health, boaters and swimmers will be able to use the North Bay of Five Island Lake next summer.

Dr. Robert Strang of the Department of Health said the results of comprehensive fish sampling last year mean two advisories against use can be lifted.

• The advisory against eating fish caught in nine local lakes can be withdrawn. It remains in effect for Five Island Lake, which will require further monitoring for several years. However, fish caught in these lakes must be released immediately, because of low stocks.

• The advisory against boating and swimming in North Bay of Five Island Lake is also lifted.

The province has worked closely with the Five Island Lake Community Liaison Committee since 1994, after it was discovered that high concentrations of PCBs were present in four fish species -- trout, bass, minnows and suckers.

"It's great news, and shows what can be accomplished when the community and government set aside their differences and work together," said John Hoyt, co-chair of the Community Liaison Committee. "I'm proud of the commitment and dedication of residents who worked long and hard to reach this milestone."

"The dredging came in on time and on budget," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "A project of this scope takes time and effort. I thank area residents and the committee for their patience and for working with government to manage this situation. I look forward to working with them as we continue this cleanup."

Since the dredging began in 1999, contractors have removed 6,850 tonnes of contaminated sediment. The more highly contaminated material was destroyed and the less-contaminated material was disposed of at approved landfills. The entire project was carefully managed under environmental regulations and strict operating permits from the Department of Environment and Labour.

Dexter Construction was the prime contractor on this recent phase of the cleanup, with help from two sub-contractors: Safety Kleen and Matrix Environment. The Transportation and Public Works 2001- 02 budget for the dredging and related work was $1.9 million.

When fish were sampled in 1994 the highest PCB concentration in fish muscle was 68 parts per million (ppm). By comparison, when more than 100 fish were collected and analyzed for PCBs in 2001, all fish were found to have less than 4.5 ppm in muscle. Three fish exceeded Health Canada's guideline number of 2.0 ppm and these were caught in Five Island Lake. Overall, tests show that PCB levels within various fish species have dropped by between 87 and 99 per cent compared to 1994 values.

In order to rebuild fish stocks, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries has designated the Woodens River Watershed as part of a special management area. So, while the health advisories have been removed for most of the area, a catch-and-release program will still apply to these lakes for some time to come.

The salvage-yard site has been fenced, graded and capped in order to contain the remaining contamination.