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PRESS RELEASE
CIP Lagoon: A legacy of pollution and mismanagement
Ottawa, ON – April 28th, 2009 (http://www.ottawariverkeeper.ca) – Meredith Brown, Ottawa Riverkeeper, has issued an official statement regarding a controversial environmental plan proposed for an area along the Ottawa River, and the overwhelming citizen support behind an alternative proposal for complete remediation and “clean up” of the site.
The sludge left behind from 60 years of pulp and paper manufacturing has rendered the shoreline of Hawkesbury useless, and continues to pose a serious risk to the Ottawa River today. The Province of Ontario is stepping in to “remediate” the site with a partial clean-up that casts serious doubts among locals, professional engineers and environmentalists, and leaves tax payers footing a $20 million dollar bill. “The community is working tirelessly to demonstrate a ‘better way’ to decontaminate the site, and as Ottawa Riverkeeper, I think it is imperative to draw attention to this very important issue”, says Brown. “In the coming weeks, citizens, advocates, lawyers, business leaders, provincial bureaucrats, town council and the Mayor of Hawkesbury all have the ability to collectively change the direction of this project”, she adds. “I am impressed by the notable demonstration of community participation and engagement on this issue. It is this form of positive energy and motivation that is needed to achieve a more sustainable way of living by the river”.
In February, a group represented by David Donnelly (a well known environmental lawyer) presented an alternative proposal for full clean-up and decontamination of the site, for the same $20 million dollar price tag. “The current proposed plan leaves contaminated sludge on the site, and is the bare minimum required for the Ministry of the Environment to ‘sign off’ on the site. Viable alternatives have been presented and we need to consider a full decontamination and clean-up for the benefit of our river and our communities”, says the Riverkeeper.
On May 11th, the Town of Hawkesbury will meet to present a motion to consider alternative proposals for the CIP site. Passing the motion would stall the current plan to move forward with the Ministry’s partial remediation, giving due consideration to the alternatives. The public consensus is weighted heavily in favor of a full-clean up. The Ministry has also stated that they are open to reviewing the options, however the fate of the project now rests in the hands of the Council, and the Mayor, who will vote on the issue in less than two weeks.
For more information, please contact:
Natasha Wilson
Ottawa Riverkeeper
613-321-1120 / 613-324-9118
communications@ottawariverkeeper.ca