A Statement from Mayor Sanderson on the Lions Park Woodlot

For the last number of months, misinformation about the remediation at Lions Recreation Centre Park (Lions Park) continues to circulate in our community. Whether you support the initiative or not, you need to have complete information based on facts. You are always encouraged to look for source information.
The following is a list of some of the key facts related to this project.

• FACT: The contamination in the soil at Lions Park is hazardous industrial waste.
  • The levels of waste found are well above Provincial limits for environmental and health safety. In almost every case, the levels are 100 or more times above the Provincial standard.
  • Contaminants at or near the surface are significant and pose a risk. 
  • The Municipality, together with the Government of Canada, and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks, has a duty to protect people from this hazardous industrial waste in our community.
  • The soil samples were collected and measured by certified experts in soil contamination and clean-up. Below is a chart that shows the legal levels of the contaminates compared to the levels found in the soil at Lions Park:

 This chart shows that elevated levels of contamination are in the soil near the surface (not buried deep).

• FACT: The clean up of Lions Park is part of a long-standing legal agreement to remove the hazardous industrial waste at this site, which was originally requested by the community over 20 years ago.
  • Following community consultation, the Municipality required that the federal government clean-up identified industrial waste sites as part of the agreement for our community hosting the LLRW long-term storage facility. These responsibilities were agreed to in our legal contract with Canada.
  • Remediation of Lions Park has long been identified as a requirement and has been part of the clean-up plan for decades.
  • The agreement for the clean-up was signed over 20 years ago. Staff at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited recommended earlier this year that, based on the levels of contamination at the site, the soil at Lions Park should be removed to safe depths.
  • Staff provided a report to Council at the Committee of the Whole (COW) in March 2022, long before the proposed work was to begin, thus allowing residents time to express their views as part of the process.
    
    
• FACT: The current woodlot has not been managed and is declining and cannot be properly managed with the levels of contamination present.
  • The woodlot is being overtaken by invasive species and without forest management activities it will continue to decline and die.   
  • A planned woodlot accessible to the public through the replacement of the trees and the removal of the contamination supports the long-term health of the woodlot.
    
    
• FACT: Tree replacement is part of the remediation plan.
  • The clean-up of Lions Park includes the replacement of trees and vegetation at a ratio of 1:1, meaning for every tree removed, a new one will be planted in its place.
  • The new trees planted will be mature saplings with a variety of indigenous species used.  A forest management plan will be developed to maintain the woodlot.
    
    
• FACT: The Municipality requested alternate options from CNL to ensure that all scenarios were considered before making a recommendation to Council.
  • The alternate options provided by CNL at the request of municipal staff, included options that would keep the existing trees and vegetation but required permanently fencing off the area, restricting access to the area forever.
  • Staff at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited recommended that the soil should be removed to safe depths, based on the levels of contamination at the site.
    
    
• FACT: If the clean up is not done, a permanent fence will be placed around the affected area, and no one will have access to the property.
  • Clean-up of this contamination removes the future risks associated with the contamination of the soil and ensures the longevity of the woodlot
  • This is a one-time opportunity to remove the hazardous industrial waste.
  • If the soil is not removed, the Municipality will be required to fence off the area permanently or until the Municipality self funds the clean-up with taxpayers’ money.
    
    
• FACT: There are no plans to develop this parkland.
  • Despite rumors to the contrary, the plan for this area is to re-naturalize the space in a clean environment for the enjoyment of residents and visitors for generations to come.
    
    
• FACT: The federal government will pay for the remediation if it is done now as part of the PHAI project.  
  • At the community’s request, and in exchange for hosting the LLRW long term waste facility, the federal government agreed to clean up identified industrial waste sites as part of the PHAI project.
  • If the project did not advance as part of the PHAI project the community would be responsible for the future clean up at a cost estimated to be $20 – $30M.
    
    
• FACT: The remediation approach to this site does not set a precedence for remediation approaches to other sites. 
  • Tree removal and replacement is considered a last option for all sites.
  • The industrial waste levels at this site are driving the decision for tree removal and replacement.
  • At each site all options are considered with any recommendation being in the interest of the municipality and our residents.
    
    
• FACT: The final outcome will be a safe, healthy and improved woodlot to be enjoyed for generations.
  • The existing woodlot is declining and will eventually die out as no forest management practices can occur.
  • Additional amenities will be introduced such as a trail, benches, interpretive signage etc.
  • Wood material removed will be reclaimed where possible.
  • Future risks and responsibilities will not be passed on to future generations.

These facts are intended to clarify misinformation circulating about the Lions Park project. Council’s role is to represent the best interests of over 17,000 residents and sometimes that means making difficult decisions and having the resolve to stand by them. We are fortunate that former staff and former Councils had the foresight to include the industrially contaminated sites (including the Lions Park) as part of the PHAI project. 

Again, I urge all residents to seek out reputable source information. I encourage you to contact the Municipality or staff at the PHAI for project information.

2022-09-23