CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

ATLANTIC REGION HIGHLIGHTS
1995/96

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The following highlights indicate some of the significant activities the Atlantic Region conducted in support of CEPA in 1995/96.

A number of studies were undertaken to determine the impact of toxic substances on regional ecosystems.

• Blood mercury monitoring in breeding loons revealed the highest mercury concentrations found in any North American population and trend analysis of mercury in regional lake sediments indicated a need for an action plan to be developed for this issue.
• Investigations of wildlife exposure to toxic chemicals at five Atlantic Coastal Action Program sites were completed and results published.
• A report was produced which indicated that chlorobenzenes in sediments near regional textile mills and municipal wastewater treatment plants represented a low environmental risk.
• A study of dioxin, furan and PCB contamination in the Five Island Lake, N.S. watershed near an abandoned salvage yard indicated very high contaminant concentrations which represented unacceptable risks to wildlife.
• A study was completed which revealed that elevated fluoride concentrations in marine sediments near a fertilizer plant in Belledune, N.B. represented a threat to marine organisms.

The Regional Toxic Chemicals Committee was active in establishing regional priorities for departmental actions and exchanging information. Under the auspices of the Environment Canada Regional Air Issues Team, a workshop (Science and Policy Implications of Atmospheric Issues in Atlantic Canada) was held which was used to establish priorities for regional air issues.

A study was completed which determined the feasibility of emissions trading for sulphur dioxide management in Atlantic Canada.

A multistakeholder table was organized and chaired by the Region to develop control options for the electric power generation sector under the Strategic Options Process. That table will present controls options for that sector in December 1996.

A study was completed which revealed no elevated concentrations of dioxins or furans in the ambient air of the Pictou Landing First Nations Reserve which could have originated from the nearby Boat Harbour Treatment Lagoon which receives pulp and paper mill waste.

A cooperative Environment Canada/University of Maine workshop was held to exchange technical information and coordinate monitoring activities on the atmospheric movement of mercury in the region.

An “Ozone Depleting Substances Information and Identification Reference Guide” was developed by the Region to assist regional Customs staff in identifying products containing ozone depleting substances.

The regional component of the National Pollutant Release Inventory involved processing nearly 2,000 reports from 71 facilities. Total releases to the Region documented by that inventory were 8,792 tonnes of which the top five substances were methanol, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ethylene glycol and sulphuric acid.

An inventory of the hazardous wastes generated by federal facilities in the Region was completed. That inventory will be used to develop hazardous wastes management strategies at specific federal facilities.

The Department continued to promote the destruction of PCBs in storage and approximately 50% of regional waste PCBs were transported to the Alberta Special Waste Facility.

The Department provided advice on decommissioning or remediation for approximately 35 federal sites, some of which were large high-profile projects such as the former U.S. Argentia Naval Facility, Mount Hermon Base in Stephenville, NF and the Sydney Tar Ponds.

The Region produced a Code of Good Practice for aboveground petroleum storage tanks greater than 4,000 litres which will be adopted by provincial environment authorities, regional fire marshals and federal agencies.

Historically the potential toxic effects resulting from the disposal of dredged materials have been assessed based solely on chemical analyses. In 1995, sediments from the Miramichi River were assessed on chemical criteria as well as the results of a battery of lethal and sub-lethal sediment toxicity tests. This was the first use of sediment toxicity data in a regulatory context in Atlantic Canada.

Monitoring of dredging and disposal activities was conducted at the Northumberland Strait Crossing Project and Yarmouth Harbour. Characterization of conditions at a Newfoundland fish offal disposal site and the site of the decommissioned naval vessel Saguenay were completed.

By combining desktop mapping software and GPS tracking technology, the capability was developed to monitor ocean disposal activities in the office and on a real-time basis.

Fifty ocean disposal permit applications were reviewed including dredging proposals for the Northumberland Strait Crossing Project, Saint John Harbour and Summerside Harbour.

Enforcement efforts included 118 inspections to monitor compliance with various regulations under CEPA. Those inspections resulted in three investigations, eight warnings, six prosecutions and three convictions. The prosecutions and convictions were the result of illegal sale of ozone depleting substances under the ODS Products Regulations.