The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment has presented the City of Summerside with a cheque for $300,000 as the provincial contribution to the project to alleviate the west end odour problem.
The presentation was made today by Helen MacDonald, the MLA for the district of St. Eleanors-Summerside which takes in much of the area affected by the odour problem.
In presenting the cheque, Mrs. MacDonald noted the odour in the area of the sea wall has had a significant negative impact on residents and businesses in the west end of the city for decades.
"I am pleased the Province is able to provide this funding support to finally alleviate this longstanding problem for the citizens of Summerside," Mrs. MacDonald said. "I am delighted to make the presentation to the City."
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan also expressed his pleasure that his Department was able to assist in finding a workable solution to the odour problem.
The odour in the west end of Summerside is caused by the accumulation of large amounts of eel grass and seaweed which is kept in a continually wet state. Because of the presence of the sea wall and freshwater inflows, the organic material has no place to wash up and dry out.
The Province contributed $30,000 last year to carry out an environmental assessment study of a proposal to alleviate the odour problem along the west end waterfront.
Following the study, work began last summer to remediate the odour problem. The project, which will be completed this spring, involves redirecting the freshwater stream westward away from the seaweed accumulation and infilling the area of the worst smell west of the sea wall. This will provide a shoreline on which marine plants can naturally dry out.
The City of Summerside funded the remainder of the $1.2 million remediation project.
"I congratulate the City for the significant progress that has been made on this important issue," said Minister Gillan. "I look forward to hearing of substantial improvements in the odour problem, and the quality of life for area residents, in 2001."