HALIFAX, November 16, 2005 Environment Canada
and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced
the signing of a joint Canada/U.S. agreement which will help agencies
better deal with future inland pollution incidents along the New Brunswick
and the State of Maine border.
“By signing the CANUSEAST Annex we formalize our contingency plans
and clearly demonstrate our collective readiness to deal with pollution
incidents
that could occur along our shared borders,” said Garth Bangay,
Regional Director General of Environment Canada, Atlantic Region. “Our
ability to more effectively and efficiently respond to future pollution
incidents by using a shared plan and combined resources, will protect
the environment, and in turn protect the quality of life and the economic
prosperity of Canadian and American citizens in the affected areas.”
Canadian and U.S. officials have long recognized the high probability
of an oil spill or the unintentional release of other hazardous substances
along their common inland border. The plan ensures a coordinated and
integrated federal response to pollution incidents, supports the provincial,
territorial, regional, and state emergency plans of both countries,
and provides for assistance when only one country is affected but the
extent
of the spill justifies a request for assistance.
"
As part of binational emergency preparedness and, as needed, for emergency
response along the Canada-U.S. inland border, under the Canada - U.S.
Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan, it is vital that EPA and Environment
Canada are prepared to quickly engage in a coordinated, effective manner
to address major environmental issues along our border," said U.S.
EPA Regional Administrator Robert W.Varney. "The
CANUSEAST Annex greatly enhances our joint capabilities and I thank
all those involved in its preparation."
The newly signed CANUSEAST Annex is the fourth of five regional annexes
to the Canada/US Joint Inland Pollution Contingency Plan which was signed
in 1994 by Canada’s Minister of the Environment and the Administrator
of the EPA.
This agreement represents further progress towards ensuring the security
and quality of life of the citizens of Canada and the United States -
an overarching goal of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North
America announced by the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico
earlier this year.
This agreement was signed under the umbrella of Project
Green, a set of policies and programs by the Government of Canada aimed
at supporting a sustainable
environment, healthy population and competitive economy.
For further information, please contact:
Roger Percy
Regional Environmental Emergencies Coordinator
Environment Canada
(902) 426-2576
Sheryl K. Rosner
U.S. EPA - New England Region (RAA)
Public Affairs Office
(617) 918-1865
