Cleanup CEO Welcomes Public Hearings

The acting chief executive officer of the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency has welcomed the joint review panel's decision to schedule public hearings on the cleanup plan.

"We have a good plan in place, and a good team to implement a safe, effective cleanup," said Frank Potter. "We look forward to presenting the case for the cleanup at public hearings."

Three weeks of hearings will begin April 29.

In December 2005, the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency submitted a 3,000-page environmental impact statement to the panel. Following a six-week public comment period, the agency submitted another 500 pages in response to public questions and concerns. Last week, the agency provided a further 500 pages of information in response to follow-up questions to the panel.

"We are as anxious as everyone in Sydney to get on with this cleanup," Mr. Potter said.

The panel is scheduled to complete the report by June 30.

The federal-provincial panel will submit its recommendations to the two levels of government, which will have the final say on the cleanup.

This week, the agency invited four engineering firms to submit bids for detailed engineering design and construction supervision of the cleanup. That design will take into account any government decisions arising out of the panel's recommendations.

The agency plans three preliminary cleanup works this summer: construction of a barrier between the Tar Ponds and Sydney Harbour; the cleanup of the old Sysco cooling pond; and the re-routing of Coke Ovens Brook, a project that began last summer.