An environmental site assessment has been completed at Tin Can Hill, the proposed location for Aurora College's new North Slave campus, to:
- understand potential contamination on-site;
- determine potential impacts to people and the environment; and
- present remediation options.
Results of this work show concentrations of arsenic and other metals were found in the soil, which is consistent with past assessments in the Yellowknife area. Arsenic is known to be present in the soil around Yellowknife because it is found naturally in the rocks, where it is not hazardous. Arsenic has also been released from historic gold mining activities, mainly around the former Con and Giant mine sites. Exposure to arsenic can present concerns for humans and the environment.
Using the information collected, a risk assessment was conducted. Risk assessments are intentionally cautious when establishing potential risk to human health and the environment. Potential risks depend on the varying frequency and length of time people spend in the area. For these reasons, the results likely overestimate the potential effects on people and the environment to be on the safe side.
Residents and regular users of Tin Can Hill can rest assured that the area continues to be safe to use as long as existing public health guidance for land and water use is followed. The GNWT has conducted several assessments to measure potential arsenic exposure and assess health risks for people living or using the areas around Yellowknife. Results show that arsenic exposure and associated risks are very low. The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to study the movement and behaviour of arsenic in the areas around Yellowknife, and update public health advisories when necessary to keep residents safe and informed.
Multiple options were presented as possible ways to address the contamination. Since work on the environmental site assessment began, primary responsibility for the transformation of Aurora College to a polytechnic university has transferred from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to Aurora College. Decisions on next steps for North Slave campus site selection rest with the Aurora College Board of Governors.
Quote
"This environmental site assessment work provides key information to the Aurora College Board of Governors as they decide whether the new North Slave campus is built on Tin Can Hill. The Government of the Northwest Territories continues to work closely with the Board and support its shared priority of transforming Aurora College into a polytechnic university."
- Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment
Quick Facts
- The Polytechnic University Facilities Master Plan identified Tin Can Hill as the best possible location for Aurora College's new North Slave campus in Yellowknife.
- The portion of Tin Can Hill under consideration for the new Aurora College North Slave campus is currently owned by the City of Yellowknife. Before formally applying for a transfer of land, an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is required to determine whether there are any environmental liabilities associated with the site.
- Phase I of the ESA involved a desktop study of publicly-available data, reports, photographs, and other documents related to the Tin Can Hill site and its surrounding area.
- Phases II/III of the ESA involved the collection of soil samples from across Tin Can Hill, including the northern part of the site where a new Yellowknife North Slave Campus has been proposed.
- A Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment was done to determine if contamination at the property could harm people, plants, or animals based on the proposed land use.
- A Remedial Options Analysis examined different ways to clean up the contamination and recommended the most suitable option(s).
- The draft Environmental Guideline for Contaminated Site Remediation was used to assess soil contamination the portion of Tin Can Hill under consideration for the new campus.
Related Links
For more information
P.O. Box 1320
Yellowknife Northwest Territories
Canada X1A 2L9
www.gov.nt.ca
