A group of volunteers in Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula is urging the provincial government to address a former landfill located near a prominent fossil site. The Fortune Head Ecological Reserve, positioned 1.6 kilometers from Fortune town, showcases the Cambrian Explosion dating back 540 million years, marking a period of rapid organism evolution. Trace fossils, remnants of ancient life, can be observed in the cliffs of the reserve.
Carl Slaney, a former board member of the volunteer organization Fortune Head Eco Friends Incorporated, expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the area due to erosion, causing old waste to resurface and fall into the ocean. Despite efforts to remediate the landfill to historical standards, its proximity to the fossil-rich reserve tarnishes the region’s tourism promotion initiatives.
Shauna Brennan, the chair of Fortune Head Eco Friends Incorporated, highlighted the educational value of the reserve, emphasizing the importance of preserving the site for future generations. She emphasized the need to clean up the landfill to enhance the visitor experience and maintain the ecological integrity of the area.
Several initiatives have been undertaken to address the landfill issue, with the provincial government commissioning an engineering firm to conduct a comprehensive site assessment. The final report outlined two options for remediation: a complete cleanup estimated at $10,967,604 or a partial extraction for $3,034,411. Slaney stressed the moral obligation to clean up the site and prevent further environmental degradation.
Environment Minister Chris Tibbs, when contacted by CBC News, acknowledged the waste management concerns raised by the community but did not commit to specific actions in relation to the Fortune landfill. The department is reportedly evaluating potential solutions to address the situation at the decommissioned disposal site.