The disposal and storage of contaminated soil in Barachois Brook demonstrates the need for the Department of Environment and Conservation to review their site approval process and establish community consultation guidelines, says Opposition Environment and Conservation Critic Roland Butler.

Contaminated soil from the Stephenville Airport is being shipped to a soil disposal and storage site in Barachois Brook with great opposition from local residents. The approval of the site plan was given by the Town of Stephenville Crossing without any consultation or notice to the people living in the Local Service District of Barachois Brook. Residents blockaded access to the site this week in protest of the secretive nature of the site’s approval.

“The Department of Environment and Conservation appears to be washing their hands of this situation and blaming the Town of Stephenville Crossing for these problems,” said Mr. Butler. “Whether the department is willing to accept any responsibility for this situation, the minister certainly has a role to play when dealing with the establishment of contaminated soil sites. If there is currently no requirement for a full environmental assessment as it relates to such a process, detailed inspections must be done to ensure disposal sites are safe. It certainly appears the legislation should be reviewed to determine whether improvements can be made.

“There is also an obvious need for a mandatory consultation process that ensures that all local residents are advised of such projects before they start. The people of Barachois Brook were not consulted and were forced to shut down the site in their attempt to get answers.

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