February 16, 2007

Demolition

Domtar demolition a work in progress

Cornwall project opens future possibilities

TERRY TINKESS

correspondent

CORNWALL

When Domtar finally closed the doors on its Cornwall operation, it was only a matter of time before demolition began. Now that it is underway, the city is looking towards a future that includes new uses for the 120 acres of prime real estate on which the paper mill is located.

The removal of windows and doors that can be recycled in other locations is the most apparent sign of demolition, but inside, copper and stainless steel components are also being removed, either to be used elsewhere or simply as “scrap.”

Dismantling an industry that operated for 123 years is a massive undertaking. Paris Holdings, the group behind the purchase of the property, has indicated to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) that full demolition and remediation of the site will require from two to three years.

The demolition process is being conducted under the scrutiny of not only the MOE, but also the City of Cornwall and the Ministry of Labour.

Barry Coleman, Cornwall’s chief building official, says that while the demolition is a major undertaking, it all starts with following the proper procedures.

“Certainly they need demolition permits that are on the site,” says Coleman. “At this point in time, it’s sort of a staged-permit situation. We’ve issued permits for the buildings that they are currently working on.

Belinda Sutton, a spokesperson for the labour ministry, says they have been actively involved in the process in Cornwall, conducting audits, and visiting the site three times.

TERRY TINKESS

It could take well over two years for the structural demolition to be completed, but once it is, Cornwall's skyline will be changed forever.

TERRY TINKESS

The evidence of the demolition taking place on the site of the former Domtar paper mill in Cornwall is no more evident than in the administration building. All that remains is an empty shell, which will soon be levelled.

“On a typical demolition project, the Ministry of Labour would audit the project for compliance with Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Regulations for Construction Projects, including demolition procedures and designated substances such as asbestos and lead,” says Sutton.

Lisa Chalmers is a senior environmental officer with the Ministry of the Environment, responsible for the former Domtar site for three years prior to its closure. She says the ministry’s interests in this matter involve a number of areas.

“The MOE’s immediate concerns revolve around waste disposal of ‘above ground’ structures and ensuring that all waste is disposed of appropriately,” says Chalmers. “This requires the owner of the waste to: categorize the waste as per Regulation 347, ensure certified waste haulers are used, and ensure that waste material is taken to waste disposal sites authorized to accept the material.

“For asbestos, the disposal must comply with Regulation 347 and the ministry has requested the company to advise the Cornwall Area Office of all off-site movement of asbestos waste.”

A copy of the waste audit report must be provided to the Cornwall office.

The ministry also met with Domtar and new owners of the site to ensure Certificates of Approval were either revoked or transferred.

“This was important to ensure Certificate conditions, such as maintaining ongoing monitoring, would continue,” says Chalmers. “The ministry was also concerned with potential off-site impacts resulting from the demolition (i.e. dust etc) and has requested information from the owner to ensure strategies are in place to minimize any off-site impacts during the demolition phase.”

As remediation continues to move forward to include sub-surface structures and/or soils, the ministry has requested that a Conceptual Site Plan and Work Plan be submitted.

This Plan is expected to address sampling procedures, interpretation of data, and to provide a general time-line of project development.

No matter how long it takes, the face of the city will be changed dramatically.

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