Randle Reef

SteelTown · #1 Posted **Nov 8, 2007, 12:08 PM**

Baird coming with cash for Randle Reef cleanup

Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 8, 2007)

Canadian Environment Minister John Baird is expected to announce a $30-million federal contribution to the $90-million cleanup of Randle Reef tomorrow.

Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson, a New Democrat, is so certain of the news he said: "Fantastic! Finally. Hooray. Let's get on with it."

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who said he wasn't sure why Baird is coming, also said, "I'll be there Friday and I expect to hear good news."

With $30 million promised by Premier Dalton McGuinty during the recent provincial election campaign, a federal commitment would clear the way to cap and contain enough toxic mud to fill Copps Coliseum to the roof three times.

It's a significant issue because Randle Reef is the second-worst case of coal-tar contamination in Canada after the tar ponds in Sydney, N.S. And it is the biggest remaining obstacle to getting the harbour off the International Joint Commission's list of Great Lakes pollution hot spots.

The final $30 million is expected to come from the Hamilton Port Authority and in-kind donations from industry and other local sources with an interest in creating an eight-hectare peninsula for cargo storage and two new shipping piers.

Officials who've lobbied hard for the federal and provincial aid say Ottawa's pledge will clear the way for a 2008 construction start. The aim is to finish ahead of the 2015 target for removing the harbour from the hot-spot list.

Baird, who toured the site by boat in mid-July, is scheduled to appear at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce building at the harbour at 1 p.m.

Christopherson, who has urged Baird to come up with the money, said he couldn't imagine the minister coming to town without making the announcement.

"John knows he's going to get kudos for doing this, and I will be in the lineup. I told him flat out, if he delivered, he could count on getting favourable comment from me, and I told him we need this really, really badly."