Resolution Island (June 09/03) - The seventh seasonal clean up at Resolution Island, the most contaminated site in Nunavut, is scheduled to begin on June 15.

The budget for this season is estimated to be between $6 million and $7 million. Plans for the workers have been mapped out and they have little time to waste.

"We came up with a very aggressive plan to get us off the island in three years," said Natalie Plato, a Nunavut-based contaminant specialist for the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

The island was home to a U.S. military base until it was abandoned in 1972. Most of the contamination came from transformers and electrical equipment that were left behind and began to leak or rust.

Among the mercury and hydrocarbons that penetrated the soil on the island is the most dangerous contaminant of all - polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.

Cleanup crews from Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and representatives from DIAND have been going to the island for the last six years. They have been removing contaminated soil and storing it in large waterproof containers referred to as flower pots.

For the first time since the cleanup began in 1997 contaminated soil will leave the island.

Just under 600 flower pots, each containing three cubic metres of soil, will be shipped down South for incineration by the end of the season. DIAND is working to contract out the shipment and incineration.

The cost of shipping and contracting has already been incorporated into the clean up budget.

"As long as everything goes well with contracting, we're ready to start shipping soils off site," said Plato.

With so much work to be done, QC is making sure it has enough people to do the job. Between 60 and 80 people will be on the island this year. With the new three-year plan, DIAND expects the cleanup to be completed by the end of summer 2005. Monitoring of contaminants will continue for at least 25 years.