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Port Hope Property Radiological Survey starts this summer
May 7, 20120 - The Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is set to begin the first phase of the Port Hope property radiological survey to check for the presence of historic low-level radioactive waste at all properties in Ward 1 Port Hope and select properties in Ward 2. The extensive testing will be done in phases, starting this summer with 450 properties in six different areas of Ward 1.
To explain how and why this work will be done, the PHAI Management Office is hosting information sessions on Saturday, May 12, at the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit at 200 Rose Glen Road, Port Hope (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and Wednesday, May 16, at the Port Hope Lions Recreation Centre, 29 Thomas Street, Port Hope (2 p.m. – 8 p.m.). PHAI technical specialists will be available to answer questions and provide detailed information about the survey.
For the news release click here
Clearing the way for the new waste-water treatment plant
March 2012 - As part of site preparations for the construction of the new waste water treatment plant, a section of trees and vegetation will be removed on the western side of the existing Welcome site – south of Highway 401 and bordered by Brand Road. To ensure the requirements of the environmental assessment are met, every effort will be made to keep as many of the existing trees as possible – clearing only what is necessary for construction purposes and operational safety.
Cleared trees and vegetation will be cut up or chipped by a local contractor and will remain onsite. New trees will eventually be planted along the south side of the existing collection ponds to screen views of the new waste-water treatment plant from the highway.
Study highlights differences between Cobourg and Port Hope
Residential and commercial development among key factors
February 2012 – An independent real-estate market analysis commissioned by the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) Management Office shows that major differences in growth patterns between Cobourg and Port Hope over the past 10 years caused the Cobourg real estate market to grow faster – at times even outperforming the Greater Toronto Area market.
For the news release click here
For the executive summary click here
Interested in doing business with the Government of Canada?
The Port Hope Area Initiative and The Port Hope & District Chamber of Commerce presents a seminar on doing business with the Government of Canada.
The next seminar takes place on April 12, 2012 from 11 :30 a.m. to 1 :30 p.m. at the Idea Hub – 260 Peter Street, Port Hope.
To register, call: 905-885-5519 or email: thechamber@porthope.ca.
For more information click here
Survey reveals highest-ever level of confidence in PHAI
January 31, 2012 – Public confidence in the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) is at an all- time high, according to the 10th annual PHAI public- attitude survey conducted by IntelliPulse Marketing.
With the clean-up project officially moving into Phase 2, residents’ confidence in the PHAI Management Office’s ability to safely manage the waste for the long-term is up to 84 per cent – its highest level ever – up three per cent from last year, and up 19 per cent compared to the first public-attitude survey in 2002.
“As we move forward with Phase 2 of the project, it’s encouraging to know that the residents of Port Hope continue to increase their confidence in our ability to safely move the waste while minimizing community impact,” said Christine Fahey, PHAI project director. “The findings from the annual public-attitude survey are valuable in telling us what’s important to the community and how we’re doing, and we will continue to engage and listen throughout the second phase.”
While 87 per cent of residents identified the cleanup as an important topic, nearly three-quarters said they “never” or “not very often” think about living in a community dealing with low-level radioactive waste. In fact, satisfaction with life in Port Hope increased to 95 per cent, from 93 per cent in 2010 and overall, awareness of the Project has improved significantly – increasing to 94 per cent from 88 per cent last year.
For the news release, click here
For the Public Attitude Survey executive summary, click here
Phase 2 funding moves PHAI forward
January 13, 2012 – The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) today received confirmation of funding from the Government of Canada, which will allow the clean-up project to move forward into Phase 2.
Photo: The Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources, was joined by local M.P Rick Norlock, and the mayors of Port Hope and Clarington on Friday, Jan. 13, to announce a federal commitment of $1.28 billion over 10 years to clean-up low-level radioactive waste in the Port Hope area.
The news release from the PHAI MO can be found here
The news release from Natural Resources Canada can be found here
The backgrounder can be found here
Find out how to do business with the Government of Canada - attend our next OSME seminar in Port Hope on Jan. 10.
Cllick here for details.
More than 200 discuss clean-up plans
for Port Hope Project
The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) welcomed more than 200 residents, government officials and members of the media at its open house Nov. 24 – sharing plans for the cleanup of historic low-level radioactive waste in the community.
Staff and technical experts from the PHAI MO used large displays and demonstrations to explain the key elements of the Port Hope Project (PHP) – including sites and transportation routes, the proposed new long-term waste-management facility and water treatment plant, environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness and expected economic benefits for the Municipality of Port Hope.
“We are thrilled with the turnout at the open house,” said Christine Fahey, project director for the Port Hope Area Initiative. “It was a significant opportunity for us to interact with the public on a one-on-one basis, while explaining our plans to minimize impact on the community throughout the clean-up process.”
The open house is part of an ongoing outreach and communications campaign aimed at ensuring that community residents and other stakeholders are aware of the project’s progress, plans for environmental monitoring – including dust, noise, odour and traffic – and close cooperation with the municipality and community groups.
With the project expected to move into Phase 2 in early-to-mid 2012, successful two-way engagement with the community will be as important as ever.
Safety Milestone Achieved in Port Hope
The Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office (PHAI MO) has just marked a safety milestone – 170,000 hours worked during the recently completed 42-month transition phase without a Recordable Lost-Time Injury. Employees from AECL and Public Works & Government Services Canada – who are co-located in the PHAI MO – share in this achievement.
“I’m extremely proud of the safety performance of the organization, and the commitment made by PHAI MO management and staff to ensuring an ongoing awareness of hazards and prevention of injuries and incidents,” said Christine Fahey, PHAI project director. “As we escalate our field activities in the coming year, we are committed to working together to ensure workers return home safely at the end of each day.”
Odour testing concludes August 31, 2011
September 13, 2011 – The PHAI Management Office (MO) has concluded odour testing at three Port Hope Project cleanup sites. The results of the tests will be used to determine the potential for odour and the best methods of suppression before the start of Phase 2 – the implementation phase.
Odour testing begins August 11, 2011
August 9, 2011 – The PHAI Management Office (MO) will begin odour testing at three Port Hope Project cleanup sites on Thursday, Aug. 11, to determine the potential for odour and the best methods of suppression before the start of Phase 2 – the implementation phase.
The work will be conducted at the Port Hope harbour, the former coal gasification plant on John Street, and the Highland Drive Landfill site and is expected to continue until the end of August.
“The sampling program is being conducted to define and measure the potential for odour – and to develop the most effective methods to minimize its impact on the community,” said Buddy Taylor, manager of regulatory affairs at the PHAI MO. “The sampling is not expected to cause odours. Any odours that may result will not pose a health and safety issue.”
At the harbour, multiple sediment samples will be collected by boat, while a small drill rig will be used to gather samples at the Highland Drive landfill and the former coal gasification plant site. The contractor hired to conduct the tests will follow project-specific occupational health and safety, radiation protection and quality assurance plans.
“Testing during the summer months will provide us with potentially worst-case scenario results, allowing us to plan accordingly,” said Taylor. “Once the cleanup phase begins, some work – such as excavation at the landfill – will be carried out during the winter months to lessen the potential for odour.”
Watch CHEX TV news coverage here (17:40 - 18:30)
Port Hope Project Newsletter, Summer 2011 edition
This newsletter was mailed to every home and business in the Municipality of Port Hope. If you did not receive your copy, please email us at info@phai.ca or call 905-885-0291.
PHAI MO supports Family Safety Day in Port Hope
Brigid MacKenzie-Doyle repeats a fire safety lesson to get another turn
Manager, Project Engineering Glenn Case and grandson Aiden heading for the Fire Safety House
July 11, 2011 -- PHAI MO staff brought their kids (and grandkids) to Memorial Park on Saturday to enjoy an inaugural bounce in the Port Hope Fire Department’s new inflatable Fire Safety House. The PHAI MO is proud to sponsor this unique initiative that combines fire safety education with a whole lot of fun.
Port Hope Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors receives Port Hope Project update
July 6, 2011 -- Bright and early this morning, the Board of Directors of the Port Hope Chamber of Commerce met for over an hour to learn more about the Port Hope Project from Sandy Holmes, PHAI MO Public Information Officer.
Pictured here, from left to right: Sandy Holmes, Mike McLaughlin, Andrea Patterson, Jeff Gilmer, Gerry McIntosh, Judy Selvig, Lolly Prinzen, Cathy Moore, Patty Gilligan and Terry White.
PHAI celebrates Canada Day in Port Hope
PHAI MO staff and Port Hope Lions in the 2011 Port Hope Canada Day parade
Members of the Lions Club joined with staff of the PHAI MO for the Canada Day parade in Port Hope July 1. The PHAI MO looks for opportunities to interact with local residents and other key stakeholders – participating in community events such as the Canada Day parade, the Port Hope Fall Fair and the Newcastle Home and Trade Show.
Statement on the sale of AECL commercial operations
Municipality of Port Hope Councillors and staff tour the PHAI Port Hope Project large-scale cleanup sites
June 14, 2011 -- Councillors and staff of the Municipality of Port Hope were taken on a guided tour of the PHAI Port Hope Project large-scale cleanup sites to experience first-hand the scale and scope of the project. (For a map of sites, click here.)
Port Hope Harbour
Welcome Waste Management Facility