CN still isn’t sure to what extent diesel fuel has leached from its Central Avenue property here so more testing is being done this week.
Only this time round, it’s on town-owned land.
Ian Thomson, CN’s director of public affairs, noted this third phase of its environmental assessment is needed to absolutely define the parameters before a clean-up plan can be put in place.
While CN doesn’t believe the fuel has leached much under the roadway, Thomson noted test wells drilled at the corner of Fourth Street West and Central Avenue, as well as in the laneway behind homes on Central Avenue, will either support or confirm that.
So far, no testing is slated to be done on the private properties in that area.
“We don’t need to at this point in time. Certainly we’ll be dealing with the private landowners and dealing with their concerns,” Thomson assured, adding that might include going door-to-door to speak with property owners in that area.
He expected this latest testing–which includes inserting a pipe with slotted holes down into the ground–would take a few days.
Once consultants determine the extent of the leach, Thomson added a clean-up plan will be put in place in consultation with both the Town of Fort Frances and the Ministry of Environment.
“That’s the next stage,” he noted.
CN first became aware of the problem late last year as part of a company initiative to examine all of its properties. An underground fueling facility that hasn’t been used in more than 10 years is suspected to be the source of the contamination.
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