In five years, it could be Cameco that pays for Port Hope’s waterfront development — at least part of it.

Now that Port Hope has acquired 173 acres of harbour lands formerly owned by the federal government, municipal Chief Administrative Office (CAO) Eugene Todd said negotiations can begin with the uranium conversion facility which is vying for a plot of land near the shores of Lake Ontario on Marsh Road — smack dab in the middle of Port Hope’s planned waterfront development where the company currently leases property.

“It’s not news,” Cameco spokesperson Doug Prendergast said prior to Tuesday’s council meeting in which such land issues were discussed at length. Mr. Prendergast said the municipality and Cameco have been discussing the land transfer for a number of years.

By taking control of the harbour property, the municipality can now also move forward with its 2009 Consolidated Waterfront Master Plan which includes a new East Marina, trail development, recreational facilities and capitalizes on parallel work with the federal government’s five-year low-level radioactive waste cleanup project set to begin in 2012.

But while the municipality has complete rights on the harbour, it is forbidden to sell any of that property for a period of five years, right around the time Cameco’s property lease is due for renewal, and Port Hope LLRW problem ceases to exist.

“We cannot dispose of any land for five years,” Mr. Todd said told council Tuesday night, explaining such an attempt flies in the face of the divestiture agreement, and could result in a huge fine for the municipality.

While the harbour divestiture — a federal government grant to the municipality, along with $300,000 that has been negotiated for the last decade — was favoured by Mayor Linda Thompson in a recorded vote, along with Councillors David Turck, Ted Watts and Cal Morgan, the transfer of lands was something Councillor Karen O’Hara couldn’t swallow.

Recalling a surprise council meeting on the afternoon of Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 when the federal government announced the potential land transfer, she said, “I smelled a rat then, and I smell a rat now.”

Questioning the timing of the land transfer, Coun. O’Hara asked Mr. Todd, “Why now? It’s been 33 months since the federal government made that announcement.”

Deputy Mayor Jeff Lees fully agreed. He said the municipality should wait, at least until the radioactive waste is removed, or until a time when the federal government will take responsibility for some the costly harbour issues that continue to haunt Port Hope, including dredging.

“$300,000 is just a joke,” said Deputy Mayor Lees.

According to Mr. Todd, the municipality could face severe consequences if it did not take the harbour today.

“If there is no divestiture, they would dispose of it as they see fit,” he said.

Admittedly speculating, Mr. Todd also pointed out that with Port Hope’s ongoing sediment issues, the federal government could simply close the harbour to all traffic, restricting access to the waterfront.

Port Hope is about to begin an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Port Hope’s East Marina, he said.

“I would suspect they would not allow us to continue with the EA.”

Councillor Bob Fudge, who also voted against the divestiture, suggested council open the floor for comments from the public prior to making a decision on such a significant issue.

Mayor Thompson said, “This is council’s debate.”

via northumberlandnews.com / indynews.ca | Port Hope acquires harbour.