NR - 10.123 - October 15, 2010
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. & Lab. – The Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded two contracts for a combined total of $2.7 million to SNC Lavalin for environmental remediation work at 5 Wing Goose Bay. This investment demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to environmental protection and the clean-up of its contaminated sites and will generate benefits for the local economy.
"This investment, which is part of the $300 million in remediation activities I announced in Happy-Valley Goose Bay in July 2009, clearly demonstrates the commitment of this Government to environmental clean-up," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador. "In fact, work has already begun at the former storage tank area adjacent to Hamilton River Road ahead of schedule, showing the immediate benefits and contributions to the economic foundation of the community."
The work scheduled for this year includes due diligence activities to remove free-phase fuel products to minimize any potential for off-site migration of fuel at the Main Gate of the Wing and at the site known as Area D. The work started at Area D includes the installation of a remediation system on the property to remove these free-phase fuel products. A second remediation system will be installed at the Main Gate site within the coming months. Both systems will remain in operation for the next three years.
These contracts, awarded under the Goose Bay Remediation Project, are in support of the Government's commitment to respond to the existing environmental challenges, continue efforts to remediate the sites, manage risk to human health, and protect the environment.
The Goose Bay Remediation Project is funded by 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. The project is anticipated to be completed by 2020.
Since the Second World War, 5 Wing Goose Bay has had a continuous international military presence, which has resulted in significant socio-economic benefits and stability for the surrounding communities. To this day, the main role of the Wing is to support foreign military training which is being actively marketed around the world.
The contracts were awarded based on the results of an open, fair and transparent competitive process to identify the most suitable contractor.
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