After much discussion Northumberland County council put an upset limit of $30,000 to hire the only company that responded to its request for proposal (RFP) to peer review the federal government’s remediation plan of a Port Hope dump site containing low-level radioactive waste.

While 17 consultants downloaded the county documents, only Stantec Consulting Ltd. provided a bid to look at the remediation plant for the Highland Drive Landfill located just north of the Jack Burger Sports Complex and east of Port Hope High School, according to the county council agenda package.

The county took over responsibility for this landfill site in 1991, as part of taking over all county landfills and waste disposal responsibilities, states a staff report. The landfill contains municipal, industrial, commercial and low level radioactive waste generated by the former Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. and dumped in the 1940s.

The remediation plan must deal with all these waste types, complicating the process and limiting future use of the site.

There should be an upset limit on this, Alnwick / Haldimand Township Mayor Bill Finley advised.

“Things can happen,” he cautioned.

At this point there is no limit, as the consulting firm only provided a per hour cost, the report indicated. County chief administrative officer Bill Pyatt confirmed that lack of a maximum amount to be spent because at this time the federal government’s plan is not complete and negotiations are continuing, he said.

“Staff are confident that Stantec Consulting Ltd. is capable of providing the necessary peer review services,” states part of the motion councillors endorsed.

Port Hope Mayor Linda Thompson, acting warden at the meeting, suggested the $30,000 limit that was in the staff report and council adopted this.

via Consultant hired to review Highland Drive Landfill remediation plan – Northumberland Today – Ontario, CA.