Fisheries Department dismantling summer cabins of scientists at water research facility

OTTAWA – With about two weeks remaining prior to a scheduled shutdown or transfer to new management of a world-renowned federal water research facility, the federal government has started to dismantle the summer cabins used by scientists doing field work at the Experimental Lakes Area.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans said Friday it was doing “minor work” on some cabins in preparation for their removal because they were nearing the end of their life-cycle.

Scientists who are trying to save the northwestern Ontario facility said their peers were informed by the department on Thursday, without advance notice, that it had started removing doors and windows, while emptying furniture and personal belongings in preparation for a demolition at the site, which was home to research that contributed to a North American treaty on acid rain.

“What we’re all kind of shocked about is why this had to happen now and what it means for the potential operator,” said Britt Hall, an associate professor at the University of Regina’s biology department who used one of the field cabins in the past while doing research.

“It just seems like the government is more intent on tearing the place down (rather) than transferring it.”

A spokeswoman for the department, Melanie Carkner, said it was working with the scientists to ensure they can retrieve personal items in the cabins.

“The department continues to prepare the facility for a third-party operator or the decommissioning of the site, pending negotiations with third parties and the province of Ontario,” said Carkner.

The Harper government has estimated it will save about $3 million a year by pulling out of the facility, near Kenora, Ont. Plans to pull out of the site were first announced following Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s 2012 budget.

The area has records that go back about 50 years in studies of a variety of air and water quality issues, including the impacts of industrial pollution and climate change. But scientists who have worked there in recent decades say existing research could lose its value and usefulness if the government fails to find a new partner, or proceeds with plans to stop its funding for the site on March 31.

“When that record stops, there’s no replacement,” said Carol Kelly, a veteran scientist who has done research at the area since 1978. “It’s the longest record in Canada and if you start the same kind of measurements somewhere else, you’re starting from zero. You won’t have anything to compare the new measurements to.”

Under an existing agreement with Ontario, scientists say the federal government could also be faced with decontamination costs in the tens of millions of dollars if it is forced to shut down the site.

Environment Canada also had ongoing research at the site that contributed to work on acid rain, smog, clean air and mercury contaminants among other issues, Environment Minister Peter Kent was told in recent briefing notes.

Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Mike De Souza