[thistleclub]

Green space vision in Randle Reef plan getting fuzzy
(Hamilton SPectator, Mark McNeil, Jan 16 2013)

An eleventh hour decision to water down green space provisions in the $140-million Randle Reef plan is raising the wrath of Hamilton Harbour remediation advocates.

The initial plan called for one-third of the more than 7.5-hectare surface area to be naturalized. But a revised plan, expected to be available Wednesday at a public open house, would apparently allow the Hamilton Port Authority to develop the whole site.

The move is interesting because attention over the past several years has been focused on subsurface aspects of the plan, with a decision finally made to contain the toxic hot spot rather than removing it.

The proposed capped engineered containment facility (ECF) will enclose and trap the contaminated sediment, instead of scooping it out. Sediment will also be dredged from the surrounding waters to be contained in the ECF.

With that part of the plan settled, and funding in place while a process of public consultation begins, attention is shifting to the topside....

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RANDLE REEF OPEN HOUSE

When: 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Waterfront Centre, 555 Bay St. N.