Remediation work has already begun on the site vacated in 2008 by Columbia Fuels at Harbour Quay. The property, owned by Shell Canada, used to house a fuel tank farm and has been vacant for three years.
The plan is to excavate the contaminated material on the site and dispose of it at a facility in Cumberland, city engineer Guy Cicon said.
Ground water monitoring of the site has been conducted for a number of years, and Cicon said it can take a company “a long time” to determine what contaminants are present and figure out how to remove it. Shell has moved quickly, he added.
The news prompted city council to try and light a fire under the powers that be at Esso, who have left a piece of prime waterfront property adjacent to Harbour Quay empty for several years. Coun. John Douglas asked that city staff write a letter to Esso and apprise them of what Shell is doing, and asking what Esso’s plans are for their property.
The Shell site is located in front of Lady Rose Marine Services and across Harbour Quay from Spirit Square.
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