MILESTONE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SEEKING SOLUTIONS TO THE CLEAN-UP OF THE SYDNEY TAR PONDS AND COKE OVENS SITES SIGNED BY GOVERNMENTS AND JOINT ACTION GROUP

SYDNEY,N.S.--- Sept.19, 1998 --- An important milestone in the community-led process regarding the remediation and clean-up of the Muggah Creek Watershed was achieved today through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by all partners in the process.

The MOU was signed by federal Environment Minister Christine Stewart, federal Health Minister Allan Rock, Premier Russell MacLellan, provincial Transportation and Public Works Minister Clifford Huskilson, provincial Health Minister James Smith, Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor David Muise, Municipal Clerk Bernie White, and Dr. Carl Buchanan, chairperson of the Joint Action Group (JAG). Senate Government Leader and Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, Al Graham, and provincial Environment Minister Don Downe also signed as witnesses to the MOU.

The overall purpose of the MOU is to recognize the necessity of all levels of government to cooperate with the community, as represented by JAG, to study options and to plan and implement solutions for the environmental problems associated with the Muggah Creek Watershed.

The MOU was also created and signed to demonstrate and confirm the long term commitment of the parties to :

• continue to support and participate in the JAG process,
• provide funding for the effective operation of the JAG secretariat,
• environmental /health studies and assessments, demonstration/pilot projects, and public education and participation activities, leading through the JAG process to the identification of remedial options based upon the JAG core principles,
• the funding by government parties and the timely implementation of approved remediation projects, and
• respond to the identified remediation options, with constraints on resources at all levels being recognized.