ACM fragments to be removed from Tekakwitha Island

11/12/2020

The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) wishes to inform the community that asbestos containing materials (ACM) have been found in one of the work zones on Tekakwitha Island being excavated as part of the Island and Bay Restoration Project.

The ACM was discovered when our contractor, RML, was prepping the ground for the construction of a linear marsh and pond. Three pipes and approximately ten fragments were identified on the surface and test pitting in the area revealed a small number of additional buried pieces.

All visible ACM has been bagged according to Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke protocols and placed in a designated bin for proper disposal outside the community. In total, KEPO estimates that 3,000 cubic meters of soil has been affected.

Our contractor has engaged a subcontractor specialized in asbestos removal to oversee excavation and removal of the affected soil to an authorized disposal site outside of the community. This work is expected to begin within the next few weeks and to take about one to two weeks to complete.

The affected area is within the fenced-off construction zone on the island. KEPO reminds community members that fenced off areas on the island are part of active work zones and entry within these zones is prohibited for the safety of all. For more information, please contact KEPO at 450-635-0600 or bayproject@mck.ca.