Nova Scotia, Canada Sign Tar Ponds Review Agreement

The environmental assessment of the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Sites remediation project has taken an important step with the signing of an agreement for a joint federal-provincial panel review.

The agreement sets out the rules for conducting the joint review, the procedures for appointing panel members and the panel's terms of reference.

Kerry Morash, Minister of Environment and Labour for Nova Scotia, and Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment for Canada, say they are pleased with the agreement.

"We're pleased to have concluded this agreement. It's critical that the joint review process move along smoothly," said Mr. Morash. "The cleanup of the Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens will have important benefits for all Nova Scotians."

"This agreement represents a tremendous achievement for both the government of Nova Scotia and the government of Canada. Having a comprehensive panel review process done in a timely way was essential to me. Now we can all be sure that this cleanup will proceed with the right solution for the environment and health of the people of Cape Breton," said Mr. Dion.

The joint review will satisfy the requirements of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Nova Scotia Environment Act.

The agreement was finalized after a 30-day period during which the public could comment on a draft version.

A copy of the final agreement can be found on the Department of Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ea/tarponds.asp and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/index_e.cfm (reference #05-05-8989).

Copies of the final agreement can also be obtained at the following centres:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 1801 Hollis St., Suite 200, Halifax 902-426-0564

Nova Scotia Environment and Labour 5151 Terminal Rd., Halifax 902-424-5301

Nova Scotia Environment and Labour 295 Charlotte St., Sydney 902-563-2100

To register as an interested party and to be kept informed of the review activities, provide a full mailing address, an e-mail address and/or a fax number, to:

Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Review P.O. Box 431 Sydney, N.S. B1P 6H2 E-mail: [email protected]