By Rosalind Russell – Serpent River First Nation is continuing its remediation efforts for the Cutler Acid Plant Site, which opened in 1955 to produce sulphuric acid for the uranium mines in Elliot Lake.
The plant shut down in 1963, but the remediation work has been sporadic over the decades with a renewed focus following the pandemic.
Mathieu Gervais, Environmental Coordinator for the First Nation, says the First Nation has been taking steps to remediate the site including removal of aquatic and other debris at Aird Bay, collected soil and groundwater samples to determine the extent and depth of contaminated soil and the impacts on groundwater.
He says there are currently two zones being remediated, adding the two represent the first steps in an eventual site-wide remediation.
He explains the impacted soil contains higher than normal concentrations of metal, such as arsenic and sulphates and is being trucked to the Sturgeon Falls Landfill for disposal.
Gervais adds the landfill site was chosen by the contractor (Milestone Environmental Contracting Inc) as the closest one which is cost-effective, would accept the material, and was licensed to dispose of it safely.
Nearly 8,000 metric tonnes of the material have been transported over the last couple of months.
He says remediation efforts continue, and plans are moving forward to 2025.
Gervais says excluding his site-visits, there are usually 4-6 people on site on a given day; the site supervisor, the excavator operator, an environmental monitor, one or two labourers to perform traffic control and other duties as needed, and the driver of the truck being loaded.
The main hazards on site are conventional construction site hazards; slips/trips, open excavations, mobile equipment.. These hazards are mitigated by performing all work in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. (i.e wearing proper PPE, fencing-off excavations, and so on.)
When it specifically comes to the impacted soil; the greatest health risk comes from prolonged exposure and ingestion. There is no acute health risk.
The environmental monitor on site is also responsible for ensuring that dust levels remain acceptable, making sure no one is breathing any particulates.
Due to the amount of water present on site (high water table and recent precipitation) dust has not been an issue.
He says the next steps include more excavation will be taking place in the future, perhaps as early as next year; this year’s work represents only a portion of the total area to be cleaned up (a total area of roughly 63,000m2). Monitoring of the site is taking place concurrently with excavation and will also continue after the digging is complete.
Serpent River First Nation is partnered with many agencies to ensure the cleanup runs smoothly.
There are several regulations that apply to this remediation project: • Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations for Construction Projects, Revised Statutes of Ontario 1990, Chapter O.1 as amended, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act and municipal statutes and authorities. • Environmental Protection Act, Revised Statutes of Ontario 1990, Chapter E19 as amended, O. Reg. 102/94, Waste Audits and Waste Reduction Work Plans, and O. Reg. 103/94, Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Source Separation Programs, O. Reg. 153/04, Records of Site Condition, O. Reg. 347, General Waste Management. • CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) Contaminated Sites, Contaminated Soil and Groundwater, and Remediation of Contaminated Sites most current publications. • Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. • Canadian Environmental Protection Act (New Substance Notification Regulations). • Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act. • Fisheries Act. • Migratory Birds Convention Act. • Migratory Birds Regulations. Obviously, not all of these apply at a given time; the migratory birds convention act only comes into play if we find certain species of birds, or their nests/eggs on site. The fisheries act only applies when the work interacts with nearby water bodies, and so on.
Gervais adds they are not directly partnered with another municipality or First Nation for the remediation work.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is funding the project.
He says the work will continue into the New Year and updates will be provided as the work continues.
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