INDEX PCB Digest - 6/12/02
___________________________________________________
1) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release -6/12/02
___________________________________________________
1) Public Concern Temiskaming - For Immediate Release -6/12/02
Reports of Toxic Snow and Contaminated Aquifer
at Bennett Incinerator in Quebec
New Liskeard � As Ontario�s MOE moves ahead with plans to site a toxic waste incinerator in a residential neighbourhood in Kirkland Lake, disturbing reports are emerging from a sister incinerator at St. Ambroise, Quebec. According to reports received by Public Concern Temiskaming, the health unit in Chicoutimi raised concerns about toxic snow at the existing Bennett incinerator.
The reports, dating from the winter of 2000, state that snow from the plant could not be dumped at the municipal snow disposal site because it was contaminated. The following spring, the Quebec Environment Ministry ordered the soil, where the snow had been deposited, dug up to a depth of two inches and then burned. In addition, the Health Unit also raised concerns about whether snow-run off could have contaminated the aquifer and local wells. The Quebec Environment Ministry claimed, however, that the �risks of widespread contamination of the aquifer� was diminished by the fact that company drew so much water from the aquifer.
Terry Graves says the documents (obtained along with a series of accident reports) paint a frightening picture of potential contamination posed by the proposed Bennett operation. The incinerator, which would be the largest of its kind in Canada, is being sited in a residential neighbourhood in contravention of national CCME guidelines.
�Citizens of this region have already realized this incinerator poses some serious health risks for the region. Now in addition to concerns about dioxins, accidental upsets and toxic waste imports, we have to now wonder whether children will have to worry about toxic run-off in the spring.�
Graves says the MOE is losing all credibility with local residents by its attempt to push ahead with a scoped and limited EA on the Bennett incinerator.
�The MOE has a duty to assure Ontario residents that our health will be protected,� says Graves. �We are calling on the MOE to insist on a full and independent environmental audit of the St. Ambroise operation before any moves are made to license this toxic waste incinerator in Ontario.�
On Sunday June 16th residents from across Northeastern Ontario will be holding a major highway protest on the Trans Canada Highway to demand the MOE protect the interests of residents from the importing and burning of toxic waste.
-30-
P. O. Box 2320
New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0
705-647-1533
[email protected]
___________________________________________________
PCB Digest
http://members.fortunecity.com/toxic/
PCB Information
http://www21.brinkster.com/nopcb/