Saglek, Labrador

Remediation at Saglek Long Range Radar Site, Labrador

Saglek is located on the northeast coast of Labrador approximately 600 kilometers north of Goose Bay. Located on the summit of a 500 metre cliff overlooking Saglek Bay, the site is home to a Long Range Radar Station currently operated by the Department of National Defense. The area has served as a base for radar intelligence for the US and Canadian military since the early 1950’s.

Originally built by the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1954, the need to staff the site became less and less over time as new technologies were developed. In the early 1970’s the site was abandoned and, in 1978, the site was destroyed by fire. In 1986, the Department of National Defense built an automated, long range radar site that forms part of the current North Warning System.

PCB contaminated soils were discovered during the 1986 construction. The material was subsequently containerized and shipped to Goose Bay, Labrador and destroyed by incineration in 1990. In 1991, as part of a quality control audit for North Warning installations, DND discovered additional PCB-contaminated soils at the Saglek site. An extensive investigation of the site has determined several "hot-spots", including the beach where fuel and other supplies were received by water during the summer months. Saglek is ice-bound during the winter and the only access from November to July is by air.

The volume of contaminated soil, in excess of the CEPA-regulated limit of 50 ppm, was estimated by DND in 1996 to be 1500 cubic meters. By 1997, it was recognized that this volume was a considerable underestimate. A management decision was taken to stockpile contaminated material and proceed with a treatment process only after all material had been identified. An on-site analytical laboratory enabled timely feedback to ensure only those soils in excess of 50 ppm were excavated. By the end of the 1998 field season, DND had stockpiled approximately 20,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil and 2500 cubic meters of debris. DND has issued a tender to decontaminate the soil and debris; the contact should be awarded in early 1999.

During the site assessment, it was also discovered that marine sediments adjacent to the beach are contaminated with PCB. Delineation of the extent of the contamination has been part of the 1998 field season. The Saglek Bay area is home to an Inuit group at the nearby community of Nain. The Inuit fish the waters of Saglek Bay for Arctic char, Ringed seal, and sculpin. Contaminant levels in these species, as well as terrestrial flora and fauna including caribou, are being examined in a food chain study. The work is being conducted and monitored by the local Inuit group. To date, preliminary results suggest PCB is entering the food chain from the Saglek site by two modes: uptake and sediment transport from the beach area and aerial transport. Further assessment and significance of PCB concentrations are part of the on-going work.

Environment Canada is providing advice to DND regarding the extent of clean-up required, further delineation of contamination in Saglek Bay, the methods to be employed for on-site storage of excavated soil, as well as ultimate treatment and destruction methods. A working group has been established to review all activities at Saglek and includes Environment Canada, the Labrador Inuit Association, the Newfoundland Department of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.