Approximately 3.5 million cubic metres of radioactive and heavy metal waste remain within the boundaries of the Municipality of Port Hope at numerous sites, awaiting proper long-term storage, which is a cause of concern for Faye More, chair of the Port Hope Community Health Concerns Committee, and she wants some action.

Glenn Case, manager of engineering and operations for Atomic Energy of Canada, said if every piece of contaminated soil in Port Hope were to be cleaned up, there would be 3.5 million cubic metres, but a cleanup of only 1.5 million is required to meet the highest national standards.

Mr. Case said that when the criteria were developed for the cleanup, it was based on protection to human and ecological health.

"There is no net benefit to taking the additional 2 million cubic metres away," he said. "To remove the extra 2 million cubic metres would be more detrimental and disruptive to the community and is not necessary."

Ms. More said removing the 3.5 million cubic metres would bring Port Hope to background levels of Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) and now they're claiming there's only 1.5 million.

There was an estimate of $260-million to clean up Port Hope back in 1999, and Mr. Case said they are in the process of revising the figures to more accurately reflect 2007 prices.

"This is a major Crown project," he said. "We want a certain degree of certainty before we take this to the government. We have to touch base with reality."

The project entails removing LLRW from various properties within the Port Hope boundaries. Included in the 1.5 million cubic metres of soil to be removed are soils in the harbour, Centre Pier, the Highland Drive area, roadbeds and other public places, although Sue Stickley, communications officer for the Port Hope Area Initiative, said some private properties will be affected.

When they originally estimated the amount of contaminated soil, they took into account a 30 per cent contingency.

"We are cleaning up to the highest standards throughout the world," said Ms. Stickley. "Before we begin the cleanup, we will resurvey every property in Port Hope."

She said they will conduct surface and borehole tests, radon testing in homes and interior scans.

"The big issue right now - we hope this does not impede the good work done for the cleanup," said Mr. Case.

"We were promised a pristine environment," said Ms. More.