Government of Canada completes first stage of contaminated site clean up in Riding Mountain National Park

WASAGAMING, MANITOBA, Apr 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister
responsible for Parks Canada, today announced that Riding Mountain
National Park has completed the first stage of remediation of a
contaminated site at the maintenance yard of the picturesque Clear Lake
Golf Course. In addition to reducing potential risks to human health and
restoring the environmental quality of the area, this work prevents the
offsite movement of contaminants and will ensure the continued protection
of Clear Lake and the groundwater supply in the area.

"Thanks to investments made in Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are
taking action to clean up the legacy of contaminated sites across Canada
by accelerating assessments and remediation work," said Minister
Prentice. "The maintenance yard at the Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding
Mountain National Park is one of the sites targeted by the Federal
Contaminated Site Action Plan. Thanks to this initiative, Parks Canada
will be able to continue protecting our natural heritage in the park
while providing real and inspiring experiences.

The project, with a cost of $800,000, was funded by the Federal
Contaminated Site Action Plan, a program established to address
contaminated sites under the responsibility of federal government
departments. During the course of the project contamination that resulted
from a former underground gasoline storage tank at the maintenance yard
was removed. The smaller final phase of this project will take place in
2011 and this will complete the clean-up of this site.

"This project demonstrates the Government's commitment to environmental
clean-up, and to generating economic opportunities for the local
economy," said Mr. Inky Mark, MP for Dauphin - Swan River -
Marquette."Through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, we are
addressing contaminated sites, helping to create new green spaces and
ensuring healthier bodies of water and cleaner soils."

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government provided an
additional $80 million to the existing Federal Contaminated Sites Action
Plan. This additional investment will enable action on site assessments
and continued program management and accelerate environmental remediation
and risk management activity on priority federal contaminated sites
across Canada.

http://twitter.com/jimprentice

Contacts:
Parks Canada
Riding Mountain National Park
Cam McKillop
Environmental Stewardship Officer
204-848-7213

Parks Canada
Riding Mountain National Park
Cate Watrous
Communications & Public Relations Officer
204-848-0399

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