The Department of Infrastructure will enter into a covenant with German Parish Commissioners over the use of land near Poortown Quarry as a temporary store for silt from Peel marina.
An agreement will be put in place for the specially engineered facility to be used as a storage solution for no longer than five years. Also, the site will not be used as the location of any permanent problematic wastes store that may be needed to meet the Island’s long-term waste management needs.
A proposal to establish a covenant was overwhelmingly supported at a public meeting held in St John’s on Thursday evening.
In addition, representatives of the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture will invite German Parish Commissioners, Peel Town Commissioners, Glenfaba MHK David Anderson and Peel MHK Tim Crookall to regular operational liaison meetings during the dredging and haulage works.
A Joint Monitoring Committee will also be established and will remain in place throughout the life of the temporary storage facility. This will feature representatives from the two Departments and invitations will be extended to the two local authorities and other key stakeholder groups.
Although supported by only a small percentage of the audience attending the public meeting, a separate vote calling on the Department to consider a moratorium to halt the dredging and transportation of silt to Poortown was discussed today (Friday 17 April 2015). Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK and Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan MHK considered the matter in consultation with senior officers from both Departments.
After further assessment of a wide range of factors, a decision has been taken to continue the work to remove approximately 18,000 tonnes of silt that is threatening the closure of Peel marina. However, in order to address concerns raised at Thursday’s meeting, the Departments have agreed to a number of additional measures, including:
- Installing additional fencing around the temporary storage site and settlement lagoons
- Laying a stone surface dressing at the entrance to the Poortown site
- Providing improved wheel washing facilities for wagons transporting the silt
- Publishing the results of fortnightly water testing
- Assisting German Commissioners to fund independent monitoring of water samples
The next phase of dredging is scheduled to start on Monday 20 April and will involve the use of a Dutch barge, which is being craned into place and made operational by licenced personnel.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:
‘There was a robust exchange of views at Thursday’s public meeting, which is to be encouraged in a healthy democracy. The two Departments have considered the motions put forward at the end of the meeting and have taken on board the comments made by members of the audience. We have agreed to sign a covenant with German Commissioners to provide further reassurance that the Poortown site will not become a permanent storage facility for the silt.’
He added:
‘A moratorium was considered, but after further detailed assessment of the situation it was decided that dredging should continue. We have instead offered a range of additional measures in order to allay the concerns raised during the public meeting.
‘The dredging of Peel marina is urgently needed and we do not wish to delay the project any longer. The original decision was based on compelling human health, economic, reputational and environmental grounds and those circumstances have not changed.’
Work has already started to find an appropriate long-term solution for disposing of the build-up of silt from Peel marina. It is estimated that identifying a permanent land-based disposal site and progressing the proposals through the planning process could take between 2 and 5 years.
DoI and DEFA have given an assurance to German Commissioners that the silt will be removed from Poortown as soon as a suitable alternative is available and that the Poortown site will not be used as the location of a permanent problematic waste facility.
Minister Gawne said:
‘I understand people’s concerns and have listened very carefully to the views of the public. Anyone who knows me will recognise that I care passionately about the environment and that I am totally committed to doing the right thing. The land owned by DoI at Poortown offers the best temporary storage option while we work towards a permanent solution.’
Minister Ronan added:
‘We have endeavoured to respond to people’s questions and concerns and have released lots of information about the dredging and storage operation and the content of the silt. I hope this professional evidence and analysis will help to reassure members of the public. Effectively, low-risk, naturally-occurring silt is being transported to a professionally managed temporary store that has been built to high standards and is being monitored by independent experts with enforcement powers.
‘I am pleased that we are continuing to progress the dredging works at Peel as this has been a problem for some time. We have worked to find the best solution to store the silt and I am comfortable with the process to date. What is important is that the problem is sorted out now and a proper maintenance programme is agreed for the long term. This is for the best interests of the Peel and wider Isle of Man economy.’
- Peel marina silt and Poortown temporary storage facility FAQs http://www.gov.im/media/1347285/peel-marina-silt-faqs-1504.pdf
- Heavy metals analysis http://www.gov.im/media/1347286/appendix-heavy-metals-content.pdf
