Muggah Creek Watershed

N.S. offers to buy toxic homes from families

SYDNEY, N.S. (CP) - Michelle Kelly leapt for joy when she learned she may never go home again. The Nova Scotia government offered Friday to buy her family’s two-storey house, a salmon-coloured building located on one of Canada’s most toxic streets. The announcement came a few weeks after arsenic-tainted ooze seeped into some basements, forcing Kelly, her mother and her stepfather to move into a Sydney hotel.

"I’m glad that they did it and same with my mom," Kelly said of the plan to buy homes along Sydney’s Frederick Street and Curry’s Lane and then tear them down.

"She woke me up out of bed and she was so happy. All of us were happy - jumping for joy and hugging each other."

Kelly’s mother, Juanita McKenzie, led a year-long campaign for government compensation after chemicals were found oozing from the ground in neighbourhood yards.

The yellow goo, suspected to have come from an abandoned Sydney Steel coke ovens site near the homes, then appeared in some Frederick Street basements.

When government scientists examined the substance three weeks ago, they found traces of arsenic. Ten families were moved to a Sydney hotel as a precaution.

The province insists the goo poses no immediate health risk, stating Friday that the offer to buy homes was meant to soothe residents’ concerns.

"More work is required to determine what, if any, impact the coke ovens site is having on this nearby neighbourhood," said Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson.

"Making this offer is the right thing to do, given the type of work that will be happening on and near these residences."

Some residents fear the government’s offer was meant to placate complainers and keep them from demanding more information about chemical threats to the neighbourhood.

"I don’t like their saying we’re just doing this because all the testing is going to inconvenience people," said Lori Keough, who has lived for 13 years in a 1½-storey home on Frederick Street with her two daughters and two dogs.

"I’m so tired of lies and bull. . . . Let’s face up to it."

The neighbourhood’s New Democrat member of the Nova Scotia legislature agreed.

"I’m just appalled they’re not able to admit that there are difficulties in that community (even) when they see it in their basements and their backyard," said Helen MacDonald.

Huskilson said the province will buy the homes at a price similar to what homes away from the area would cost, as well as pay residents’ legal fees and moving costs. The relocation is voluntary.

The news came as federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart pledged $62 million in federal and provincial funds to help clean up the notorious Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens that border the homes.

Stewart said Ottawa will contribute $37.9 million to clean up the site, which Ottawa has described as Canada’s worst environmental problem.

The tar ponds alone contain about 700,000 tonnes of PCB-laden sludge, the result of about 100 years of steelmaking.

"After having been here eight months ago and having met with the McKenzies and others and having seen the site here, it wasn’t hard to convince me that this had to be one of my top priorities," Stewart told about 100 residents who gathered for the announcement.

At least four uniformed police officers attended the announcement, but there were no reports of trouble at the meeting.

Lorne Greene, a councillor with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, predicted the province’s offer to buy homes will create panic among residents of neighbouring streets who want to sell their homes, too.

Residents of at least three other streets have demanded they be moved.

"The same thing that’s going to disrupt people on Frederick Street and Curry’s Lane is going to disrupt people everywhere that are close to that damn (coke oven) site," said Greene, predicting large protests.

"If you don’t do something you’re going to have a worse problem on your hands."
© The Canadian Press, 1999

N.S. to buy ooze-area homes

Residents without buyout offers lash out at government

By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau, Chronicle Herald
Sydney - The province offered Friday to buy every home on Frederick Street and Curry's Lane, but a dream for some was a nightmare for those who must stay behind.

"The offer stinks," Cape Breton regional Coun. Lorne Green said before a news conference to announce a $62-million joint government cleanup plan that includes money to create a red zone.

"What they've done to my community has caused a major panic," Mr. Green fumed. "It's a voluntary thing, and the provincial government says there's no health risk, but why the hell would they be moving somebody out if there's no health risk? Where the hell is their compassion for the people who are left there?"

Clifford Huskilson, minister of public works, said the voluntary offer is only for residents of the two Whitney Pier streets parallel to the provincially owned coke-ovens site.

But the offer may be expanded if tests show chemicals from the site are migrating. Provincial consultants are now trying to define a red zone.

"The offer to buy the homes is not being made because of a health risk," he said.

"People living (on Frederick Street and Curry's Lane) have found material in their basements that is similar to the contaminants found on the (coke-ovens) site," he told about 100 people at the news conference. "We want to determine the source of this material."

The province plans to do intrusive testing around the homes, which will involve drilling test pits and wells to determine the flow of toxins from the coke ovens.

Residents have a year to decide whether to take the offer, and prices will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Anyone interested must contact Mr. Huskilson's office at 567-1133. He said he expects at least half the 24 homeowners will sell.

Letters from his office were stuffed into the mailboxes of eligible homes at the lower end of Whitney Pier just before the 1 p.m. news conference began.

First in line to accept the province's offer will likely be a delighted Juanita McKenzie, the outspoken representative of Frederick Street who fought for over a year to be moved after goo containing higher than acceptable levels of arsenic and other chemicals began oozing into her neighbourhood.

Two weeks ago, she and nine other families were evacuated from the street to a downtown hotel because arsenic was found in their homes.

Ms. McKenzie now plans to get on with her life, get out of Whitney Pier and possibly leave the province.

"Today is the first day of the rest of our lives, to be able to move into a healthy environment, to go forward instead of going back. . . . I wish the other residents in the area good luck . . . in their fight for a healthy environment," she said.

"I have been trying to get the residents in the community to come together and be as one. Fortunately now they are united. . . . I know they have a hard fight ahead of them."

Some of those now willing to do battle crashed the news conference held in the basement of Centre 200 demanding answers.

Tupper Street resident Marcia Green offered the keys to her home to the federal and provincial ministers in the room, including federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart and Senator Al Graham.

Maureen MacDonald, another resident of the street, tearfully begged for help. "My yard is adjacent to the coke-ovens site, so how can you say we aren't affected?" she cried.

Another resident said he was sad that his home, metres away, was being excluded from the buyout offer.

"My next-door neighbour got a letter. I didn't," Leonard Axworthy of Tupper Street said. "I was hurt because the government is not concerned about my kids, their future and their health."

Environmentalist Bruno Marcocchio chastised the elected officials. "To hear the health minister, the provincial transport minister and the environment minister say people are being moved, not for health reasons but for compassionate reasons, when they live in homes with arsenic in their basements is an insult to each and every one of us," he said at an open microphone put on the floor for questions.

"You're here to protect your legal liability, you're not here to protect the interests of people living in Sydney. You should be ashamed."

Cape Breton Mayor David Muise said the community is in turmoil.

"The tension in this room today, I'm sure you realize it's there. . . . The effects of that coke-ovens site goes beyond Frederick Street. There are other neighbourhoods that have to be looked at. I'm asking the government to be sympathetic to the requests of people who live in the Whitney Pier area, Victoria Road area and the Vulcan Street area. They all have legitimate concerns.

"I'm also concerned about the fighting, complaining and divisiveness in this community. If we are going to solve this problem we have to work together. There is no other way," the mayor said to a roar of applause.

After the meeting, Mr. Green said a group of about a dozen residents planned to meet Friday night to figure out what their next move will be. Helen MacDonald, NDP MLA for Cape Breton The Lakes, said the province has exhibited a real lack of planning. "This all seems to be a kind of knee-jerk reaction," she said. "Nothing is precipitated by a lot of common sense."

The Joint Action Group several months ago ordered the government to come up with a separation zone by June 1. "It is evident the government takes our request very seriously and has responded to the needs of this community," chairman Bucky Buchanan said.

Tory Leader John Hamm said he was pleased the government is finally treating this issue as a priority.

"It's a rather belated response (to buy the homes), but it is the right one," he said Friday. "They are giving the people an option to move."

The orange ooze was also found at a home on Laurier Street, two streets away. Environment Minister Michel Samson said it was a "work in progress" to respond to the presence of the toxins.

Health Minister Jim Smith said he doesn't think it's possible to assure residents they are safe, because of the level of distrust in the community. "When the emotion reaches this level, I think it's very difficult because I think people don't trust, and I think the system they should trust is their own system. . . . I don't think anyone is going to trust Jim Smith or any other ministers at this point. . . . It's the JAG process you have to plug into."

With Amy Smith, provincial reporter

$62 million pledged for Sydney cleanup

By Tera Camus / Cape Breton Bureau, Chronicle Herald
Christine Stewart Sydney - Three levels of government announced Friday a $62-million, three-year plan to combat Sydney's mammoth toxic waste problem.

Federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart announced that her government will give $37.9 million, while the province will kick in $21.4 million.

"The government of Canada is committed to this cleanup. We will complete the job," Ms. Stewart told about 100 people at an afternoon news conference.

"Although you have seen and heard governments make promises before, I want to assure residents of Sydney we are acting; $62 million is an important and crucial step in cleaning up Sydney once and for all."

The tar ponds contain more than 700,000 tonnes of toxic sludge that includes cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The coke ovens site is similarly contaminated.

The $62-million funding will be distributed as follows:

$47.3 million for remediation projects, including an emergency response program, a separation zone, a sewer collector line to carry raw sewage from the tar ponds and dump it untreated into Sydney Harbour, a control system to handle the leachate from the municipal dump, removal of the dilapidated structures at the coke ovens site, and creation of a project management team.

Marcocchio chastises Federal Minister Environmentalist Bruno Marcocchio got into a "Yes, you do," "No, I don't" exchange with Ms. Stewart during a brief question period for the public.

He chastised her for supporting a planned sewer collector line that will dump raw sewage into Sydney Harbour.

"Sewage treatment is not a federal responsibility, it's the responsibility of the municipality," Ms. Stewart said. "The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is always responsible for the administration of the act."

"So you're denying that the federal government has any responsibility for dumping 40 per cent of Sydney's raw sewage directly into a federal waterway?" Mr. Marcocchio asked.

The yes-no debate ensued, and Mr. Marcocchio ended it by saying Friday's announcement amounted to nothing more than "political butt-covering, and yet again, another insult to all of us here in Sydney."

Sydney-Victoria MP Peter Mancini called the $62 million a "good first step" toward a cleanup estimated to cost $1 billion.

"This announcement is a beginning but does not end the federal government's responsibility.

"This is just a drop in the bucket. Much more is needed and we won't wait for another two or three years for another announcement."
PUBLICATIONCape Breton Post
DATE Sat 29 May 1999
EDITION FINAL
SECTION/CATEGORY News
PAGE NUMBER1 / Front
BYLINE Tanya Collier
STORY LENGTH 567
HEADLINE:

Cash backs commitment: Provincial, federal governments confirm $62M to clean up Sydney's toxic mess

Government sealed its commitment to clean up the Muggah Creek Watershed area with cold, hard cash Friday.

Federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart announced $62 million to begin a preliminary cleanup of the tar ponds and former coke ovens site.

The cash injection shows the three levels of government are serious about eradicating the toxic problem, she said.

``This demonstrates the government of Canada is committed to this cleanup. We will complete the job.''

A letter, published in the Cape Breton Post last week from Liberal MP Charles Caccia, chair of the federal Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, reported there was no money in the federal government budget for the cleanup effort.

``The combined effects of deficit and tax reductions do not permit action in the foreseeable future in terms of finding the necessary funds for the work needed to rehabilitate the sites,'' wrote Caccia.

Stewart was not impressed.

``He said there wouldn't be $62 million. Today we are coming with $62 million.

``Our commitment at the federal level is to remediate this site. But it's going to take time and we've been unequivocal about that.''

Stewart noted the government ``has no idea'' what the final cost will be.

Technology demonstration projects funded through the allotment will be important in determining what technologies exist and will work most effectively.

``Every day there are new technologies coming forward and some of them are very cost-effective. That's why we don't know the final price,'' she added.

Stewart said since she last visited the area in September, she's been thinking about residents living near the toxic site.

``I put myself in your shoes and in your homes as best as possible and it certainly spurred my determination to help you.''

Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) Mayor David Muise said the community is going through tremendous turmoil.

``Not only in its' economy, but in its' day to day life. I hope you will continue to listen to the people.''

The mayor said he is disturbed by fighting and complaining within the community.

``If we are going to solve this problem, we have to work together. There is no other way.''

The federal government will contribute $37.9 million to the preliminary cleanup; the province will kick in $21.4 million over a three-year period. The CBRM will continue to offer support through services in kind.

About $1.9 million of the funding will be used to pay for the administration and operation of the Joint Action Group through its secretariat.

A study and assessment phase will cost upwards of $12.8 million; information will be used to identify preferred remediation options. The phase will include environmental health studies and assessment, site safety and security work and technology demonstration.

The balance of the money - about $47.3 million - will pay for remediation projects such as development of an emergency response capacity, implementation of a separation zone, construction of a sewer interceptor, control of landfill leachate, completion of site demolition and disposal activities and project management.

Clifford Huskilson, provincial minister of Transportation and Public Works, announced a government offer to purchase the homes of 24 families on Frederick Street and Curry's Lane.

Whether neighbours of the two streets will also be offered the same option will be decided when a separation zone is recommended. The tendering process to hire a company to address the separation zone issue is expected to be completed by June 9.
PUBLICATIONCape Breton Post
DATE Sat 29 May 1999
EDITION FINAL
SECTION/CATEGORY News
PAGE NUMBER1 / Front
BYLINE Steve MacInnis
STORY LENGTH 477
HEADLINE:

Government offers to buy homes in contaminated neighbourhood

After announcing a solution Friday to one problem in a contaminated Sydney neighbourhood, the federal and provincial governments were accused of unleashing a wave of panic in other areas.

Provincial Transportation and Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson announced a voluntary buyout package for 24 homeowners on Frederick Street and Curry's Lane.

He said exact details of the package - being offered jointly by the province and the federal government - are still being worked out. Residents of the two streets have one year to accept.

Huskilson stressed the decision is not based on health concerns but, rather, compassion. The two streets border the Muggah Creek Watershed, considered Canada's worst toxic waste dump. The area is heavily contaminated with a variety of hazardous chemicals dumped into the ground after nearly a century of steel making. It is now the target of Canada's largest remediation project.

Some 10 families were moved out of the neighbourhood two weeks ago after traces of arsenic were found in some basements. They have been staying at a Sydney hotel and have vowed not return to their homes.

While the announcement was welcomed by residents of the two streets, there were howls of discontent from neighbouring residents who attended a press conference during which federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart announced a $62 million package for further development of a remediation plan.

``What about the residents of Tupper Street, Laurier, Lingan? Why not open the deal to everyone? The panic in the Pier today is unbelievable,'' said Lorne Green, Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillor for the area.

Huskilson said Frederick Street is now the target of some detailed soil and water testing and officials felt they had no choice but to move the residents out, in order to complete the work.

Tupper Street resident Maureen MacDonald was reduced to tears as she tried to understand why her street was not being included. She said her property is also in close proximity to the watershed and she fears for the health of her four-year-old daughter.

Marcia Green, wife of councillor Green and a resident of Tupper Street, offered to swap homes with Huskilson, Stewart or any of the other ministers attending Friday's announcement.

``This is just a slap in the face for residents of the Pier,'' she said.

Meanwhile, Juanita McKenzie, who has led the charge for Frederick Street residents over the past year, was happy she won't have to return to her contaminated street.

She said she can understand the frustration of her neighbours and urged them to educate themselves on the contamination and lobby for change.

``Don't ever give up. The community has to come together and work on this as one. They have a hard fight ahead of them,'' she said.

McKenzie said she's uncertain about what her future living arrangements will be, adding only that she won't be living in Whitney Pier..

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