Environmental Assessment Approved for Sydney Tar Ponds Agency

An environmental assessment for the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Clean-up Project received formal approval today, Jan. 28, as part of a joint federal-provincial announcement in Sydney.

The approval by Minister of Environment and Labour Mark Parent, permits the stabilization and solidification of the toxic materials rather then incineration.

"I have carefully reviewed the recommendations of the joint panel and I am approving the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency's clean-up proposal," said Mr. Parent. "My department will now closely monitor the cleanup to ensure public health and environmental protection at all times."

An independent joint panel submitted its report to the Minister of Environment and Labour and the federal Minister of Environment in July. All 40 recommendations directed to the Department of Environment and Labour have been accepted, including establishing a remediation monitoring oversight board.

The board will report to the Minister of Environment and Labour on the department's performance as primary regulator of the project.

The approval for stabilization and solidification, rather than incineration, was based a risk-benefit analysis. The analysis concluded that stabilization and solidification is safer, healthier and more cost-effective.

The department accepts the panel recommendation for long-term maintenance and monitoring of the site, and will address it through regulation. The need for legislation will be assessed as the project nears completion.

The Department of Environment and Labour will be the primary regulator of the clean-up project, and will ensure compliance with environmental approvals.

Before this phase of the cleanup begins, the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency will be required to obtain industrial and other approvals. They will contain detailed design, engineering and operational plans as required by the Environment Act.

For a summary of the provincial response document, visit the Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/tarponds .