- Reaction score
- 79
- Points
- 680
Backgrounder
Canadian Forces Station Sydney Remediation Project
(Updated BG – 07.030 June 2008)
BG – 10.001 - January 28, 2010
HISTORY
The Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Sydney Main Radar Site was originally built as a United States Air Force Base in 1953 and was later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961. The station was decommissioned in 1992 and sold to the County of Cape Breton, who in turn sold it to New Dawn Enterprises Limited (Cape Breton, N.S.).
In 2004, New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. discovered a leaking above-ground fuel storage tank at the site. Subsequent investigations by the Department of National Defence (DND) identified 35 underground fuel storage tanks (UST). Given the shallow bedrock conditions at the site, and the age of the above-ground storage tanks associated with the residential units, there was no reason to suspect the presence of any buried domestic fuel oil tanks. At the time of transfer, DND disclosed all known information about the environmental status of the site. Regrettably, the presence of the USTs was not known at that time.
DND has accepted responsibility for the contamination caused by these underground storage tanks. The Department remains committed to addressing past environmental problems and to working cooperatively with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd.
REMEDIATION EFFORTS TO DATE
As a good environmental steward, the DND is actively addressing environmental contamination at the former CFS Sydney site through the Former CFS Sydney Underground Storage Tank Remediation Project.
It is estimated that work at the former CFS Sydney site will cost approximately $11.2 million. The majority of the funding for the remediation project comes from the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, an initiative coordinated by Environment Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat, to provide funding to assess and remediate federal contaminated sites, with the remaining funding coming from other departmental resources.
The following is a list of activities undertaken at the site thus far:
Environmental site investigations: These investigations were conducted to confirm the existence of soil and ground water contamination. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was completed for the project site to select the most viable remedial option for the removal of contamination from ground water. A number of remedial options were qualitatively assessed and a technology known as Multi-Phase Extraction (MPE) was deemed the most suitable option for the remediation of the contaminated ground water at the project site.
UST removal: In 2005, upon completion of site investigative work, DND retained a contractor to remove the USTs and associated contaminated soil, and to treat water that was deemed “contaminated.” In addition to the removal of the 36 USTs, the contractor also removed 6,132 tonnes of impacted soil and 328,185 liters of contaminated water. It was during this phase of work that DND confirmed the presence of fuel oil contamination under the existing footings of several former Private Married Quarters (PMQs).
Options Analysis: When fuel contamination was identified in 2004, DND planned to completely remediate the site; however, upon discovery of more extensive contamination (which in some areas had migrated under existing footings) the Department decided to retain a consultant to prepare a detailed options analysis to help determine how to best proceed. This options analysis has been completed and the findings have been discussed with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd.
Human Health Risk Assessment: As part of the options analysis, DND retained another consultant to perform a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA). This evaluation assessed human and ecological risks and established clean-up criteria for the site. The HHRA was reviewed by Health Canada, DND, and New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. DND provided the results of the HHRA to New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. to action as required.
The HHRA concluded that crawl space air beneath six of the units, or 12 residences, was impacted with unacceptable levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. Data also indicated that there were small amounts of contamination on the ground water table.
CURRENT STATUS
DND and New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. have developed a remediation plan and are working towards its implementation. Contamination at the former CFS Sydney site is being addressed through the Former CFS Sydney Underground Storage Tank Remediation Project.
Site remediation and work is scheduled to begin in winter 2010. It is estimated that project work at the former CFS Sydney site will be completed by 2013.
THE WAY AHEAD
Starting in mid-December 2009, the site was secured by a fence in order to assure the health, safety and security of both the site and the personnel. Deconstruction of the 40 residential housing units is expected to begin in due course.
Remedial work at the site will include the excavation and disposal of 58,560 tonnes of contaminated soil, and backfilling and site restoration at the former CFS Sydney site. Additional remedial work includes continued monitoring of the nearby ground water wells, and the potential installation of ground water treatment system, if required.
To date, DND has compensated New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. more than $860,000 for lost rental revenue, for an independent professional property appraisal, for consultant services to assist them in understanding technical reports, and for legal fees to assist them in preparing their claim against the Crown.
DND continues to work diligently towards a mutually acceptable and positive resolution to this important issue. The Department remains committed to working cooperatively with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. on the future of the former DND property now known as Pine Tree Park.
Canadian Forces Station Sydney Remediation Project
(Updated BG – 07.030 June 2008)
BG – 10.001 - January 28, 2010
HISTORY
The Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Sydney Main Radar Site was originally built as a United States Air Force Base in 1953 and was later transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1961. The station was decommissioned in 1992 and sold to the County of Cape Breton, who in turn sold it to New Dawn Enterprises Limited (Cape Breton, N.S.).
In 2004, New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. discovered a leaking above-ground fuel storage tank at the site. Subsequent investigations by the Department of National Defence (DND) identified 35 underground fuel storage tanks (UST). Given the shallow bedrock conditions at the site, and the age of the above-ground storage tanks associated with the residential units, there was no reason to suspect the presence of any buried domestic fuel oil tanks. At the time of transfer, DND disclosed all known information about the environmental status of the site. Regrettably, the presence of the USTs was not known at that time.
DND has accepted responsibility for the contamination caused by these underground storage tanks. The Department remains committed to addressing past environmental problems and to working cooperatively with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd.
REMEDIATION EFFORTS TO DATE
As a good environmental steward, the DND is actively addressing environmental contamination at the former CFS Sydney site through the Former CFS Sydney Underground Storage Tank Remediation Project.
It is estimated that work at the former CFS Sydney site will cost approximately $11.2 million. The majority of the funding for the remediation project comes from the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, an initiative coordinated by Environment Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat, to provide funding to assess and remediate federal contaminated sites, with the remaining funding coming from other departmental resources.
The following is a list of activities undertaken at the site thus far:
Environmental site investigations: These investigations were conducted to confirm the existence of soil and ground water contamination. A Remedial Action Plan (RAP) was completed for the project site to select the most viable remedial option for the removal of contamination from ground water. A number of remedial options were qualitatively assessed and a technology known as Multi-Phase Extraction (MPE) was deemed the most suitable option for the remediation of the contaminated ground water at the project site.
UST removal: In 2005, upon completion of site investigative work, DND retained a contractor to remove the USTs and associated contaminated soil, and to treat water that was deemed “contaminated.” In addition to the removal of the 36 USTs, the contractor also removed 6,132 tonnes of impacted soil and 328,185 liters of contaminated water. It was during this phase of work that DND confirmed the presence of fuel oil contamination under the existing footings of several former Private Married Quarters (PMQs).
Options Analysis: When fuel contamination was identified in 2004, DND planned to completely remediate the site; however, upon discovery of more extensive contamination (which in some areas had migrated under existing footings) the Department decided to retain a consultant to prepare a detailed options analysis to help determine how to best proceed. This options analysis has been completed and the findings have been discussed with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd.
Human Health Risk Assessment: As part of the options analysis, DND retained another consultant to perform a Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA). This evaluation assessed human and ecological risks and established clean-up criteria for the site. The HHRA was reviewed by Health Canada, DND, and New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. DND provided the results of the HHRA to New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. to action as required.
The HHRA concluded that crawl space air beneath six of the units, or 12 residences, was impacted with unacceptable levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. Data also indicated that there were small amounts of contamination on the ground water table.
CURRENT STATUS
DND and New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. have developed a remediation plan and are working towards its implementation. Contamination at the former CFS Sydney site is being addressed through the Former CFS Sydney Underground Storage Tank Remediation Project.
Site remediation and work is scheduled to begin in winter 2010. It is estimated that project work at the former CFS Sydney site will be completed by 2013.
THE WAY AHEAD
Starting in mid-December 2009, the site was secured by a fence in order to assure the health, safety and security of both the site and the personnel. Deconstruction of the 40 residential housing units is expected to begin in due course.
Remedial work at the site will include the excavation and disposal of 58,560 tonnes of contaminated soil, and backfilling and site restoration at the former CFS Sydney site. Additional remedial work includes continued monitoring of the nearby ground water wells, and the potential installation of ground water treatment system, if required.
To date, DND has compensated New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. more than $860,000 for lost rental revenue, for an independent professional property appraisal, for consultant services to assist them in understanding technical reports, and for legal fees to assist them in preparing their claim against the Crown.
DND continues to work diligently towards a mutually acceptable and positive resolution to this important issue. The Department remains committed to working cooperatively with New Dawn Enterprises Ltd. on the future of the former DND property now known as Pine Tree Park.
