Board to Monitor Tar Ponds Cleanup

An independent board of qualified Nova Scotians is being created to help oversee the cleanup of the Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens site.

Applications to join the Remediation Monitoring Oversight Board are now being accepted.

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent committed in January to create the board when he approved the environmental assessment for the project.

The independent board will monitor the progress of the Department of Environment and Labour in ensuring provincial environmental regulations are followed during the cleanup. The department will enforce the Environment Act and associated regulations.

The Remediation Monitoring Oversight Board will also monitor the department's procedures for reviewing applications, granting permits and responding to public concerns.

The project is entering the permit stage.

Creating the board fulfils one of the recommendations issued in July 2006 by the joint review panel for the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Remediation Project.

Board applicants should have skills and qualifications that relate to environmental remediation and contaminated sites management, and experience with Nova Scotia's environmental legislation and permit procedures.

The application deadline is June 28.

More information is available on the Department of Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ea/tarponds.asp