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Great Lakes
Article:
Successful Remediation of Thunder Bay
Harbour Contaminated Sediment Site Creation of the Northern
Wood Preservers Alternative Remediation Concept (NOWPARC)
Environment Canada
Posted September 20, 2005
THUNDER BAY, Ontario, September 20, 2005 - MP Joe Comuzzi,
on behalf of the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister
of the Environment; MPP Michael Gravelle, on behalf of
the Honourable Laurel Broten, Ontario Environment Minister;
and industry representatives announced today the completion
of a $20 million cleanup of contaminated sediment around
the Northern Wood Preservers' site in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
This site, where wood preserving activities took place
for more than 60 years, was one of the most contaminated
sediment sites in Canada.
"The restoration and protection of the Great Lakes
Ecosystem is a high priority for the Government of Canada
and part of Project Green, our policy for environmental
sustainability and economic competitiveness", said
Mr. Comuzzi. "Our government remains dedicated to
ensuring a healthy Great Lakes environment and to working
domestically and with the United States to protect the
Great Lakes. The successful competition of this project
in Thunder Bay is an example of our dedication and commitment."
"This project demonstrates our government's commitment
to protecting the Great Lakes system", said Mr. Gravellle.
"It is important to balance growth and economic strength
with the need to protect Ontario's sensitive environment.
I commend all the partners involved in this project for
their hard work and dedication to Thunder Bay Harbour."
The cleanup of the site was possible through the combined
efforts of Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of
the Environment, Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Northern Wood
Preservers Inc. and Canadian National Railway Company.
"This project is an example of the type of collaboration
of which we are extremely proud", said Francine Dorion,
Vice-President of Environment and Sustainability at Abitibi-Consolidated.
"By being able to draw upon the diverse skills and
technical abilities of our member parties, the team was
able to bring a complex environmental project to completion.
We all learned and the Great Lakes environment benefited.
It was a powerful example of how synergy can be created
through commitment, perseverance, goodwill, knowledge
and effort."
This project, referred to as the Northern Wood Preservers
Alternative Remediation Concept (NOWPARC), isolated the
contaminant source, cleaned up the contaminated sediment,
and enhanced fish habitat. Long-term monitoring of the
sediment and fish habitat is ongoing to track the continued
recovery of the harbour.
Sediment contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,
chlorophenols, dioxins and furans around Northern Wood
Preservers contributed to the Thunder Bay Harbour being
designated as an Area of Concern in 1985 under the Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Governments, industry and
the public have since joined to develop a Remedial Action
Plan that identified water use goals and initiatives for
the remediation of the harbour.
For details regarding the NOWPARC project, refer to the
"NOWPARC Sediment Remediation Project" booklet.
To learn more about Canadian Remedial Action Plans for
the Great Lakes Areas of Concern, visit www.on.ec.gc.ca/water/raps.
To learn more about the Canada-Ontario Agreement respecting
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (COA), visit www.on.ec.gc.ca/coa.
To learn more about the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement,
visit www.on.ec.gc.ca/greatlakes.
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