The Public Advisory Committee (PAC) to the Thunder Bay Remedial Action Plan met on May 14th at Lakehead University. The key item on the agenda was a discussion of PAC Sediment Sub-Committee recommendations as to the best option for cleanup of mercury contamination in the northern portion of Thunder Bay Harbour. PAC members voted solidly in favour of the following Sediment Sub-committee recommendations:
1. Ensure contaminant source control / environmental security of the onshore, former mill site
2. The favoured cleanup option is on-site contaminant disposal in a new Confined Disposal Facility utilizing the existing lagoons at the former mill site
3. Effort should be made to achieve synergies or co-benefits;
-at a minimum these synergies should include soft engineering for habitat but could also include recreational, industrial or other benefits
4. Upon completion of cleanup, it should be possible to utilize the site for other purposes, which may include:
-Habitat enhancement / fish and wildlife use
-Recreation
-Commercial or Industrial use
5. There should be public access to the remediated site.
Cole Engineering representatives will meet with the PAC Sediment Sub-committee again in early June.
Supporting Documentation:
