As dust settles, Dofasco, Stelco say they'll pay for cleanup
Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator.
By Eric McGuinness
The Hamilton Spectator
(Mar 31, 2007)
Stelco's Hamilton Steel confirms that it and neighbouring Dofasco will split the cost of cleaning at five Beach Strip homes soiled by a "black snow" of coke and coal dust early last month.
Spokesman Andrew Sebestyen says the two steelmakers, which store coal on docks across a narrow stretch of water from some Beach homes, are also working together to survey other properties that may have been affected.
"There were several meetings a day between the companies last week," said Sebestyen, who conceded "not too many other companies" could be responsible for coal dust fallout.
But he was nevertheless careful to say the companies will do any necessary cleanup "without speculating as to the source."
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment said last week that it blamed the two steel companies after analysing dust samples that turned out to be 70 per cent coal and coke, but Dofasco's Gord Forstner said at the time, "We are not acknowledging any coal or coke left our site."
Forstner also refused to comment on any cleanup, saying, "We prefer to work directly with our neighbours rather than through the paper."
A ministry official said both companies had been told to determine the extent of impact on Beach residents, report on any cleanup needed and determine the best way to prevent a recurrence.
It's the first case of specific industries being held responsible for incidents of black fallout that have plagued parts of east Hamilton in the last year.
The black snow label comes from Jim Howlett, spokesman for the Hamilton Beach Community Council, who said this week he had received a letter from Hamilton's public health department in which the ministry said the dust particles were large and not easily inhaled, so it didn't expect any harmful health effects.
It also said the ministry would order the steelmakers to take action if they don't provide cleanup details and prevention plans by April 14.
Howlett said residents had already told the ministry and the company more than five homes were affected. "The whole neighbourhood was affected, but a lot of people don't call because of apathy."
He said they want more than a cleanup. "We want them to pool some money for environmental compensation, to mitigate the effects and enhance the neighbourhood. They could contribute to a trail along Eastport Drive or plant trees along the QEW if the transportation ministry agrees."
Sebestyen said he hadn't heard the request yet, but said he would talk to Howlett about it, noting the Hamilton Industrial Environmental Association already has a planting program slated to put more trees along Burlington Street.
emcguinness@thespec.com