Experimental capping was underway during the summer of 1995 at a moderately contaminated site off LaSalle Park on the North side of the harbour. In-situ treatment using a technology developed at the NWRI is being applied in the Dofasco boat slip. A removal and treatment pilot project has been conducted near Randle Reef adjacent to the Stelco docks. A proposal has been developed by Environment Canada to engage local partners in a larger-scale demonstration project which would remove and treat 20,000 cubic metres of highly contaminated sediment from this location. A steering committee of interested organizations has been addressing issues that need further clarification in order to initiate this project since the summer of 1995.
Sediment remediation is a long-term undertaking.
A prototype Cable Arm bucket was used to remove 25 m 3 of sediment from Sherman Inlet in Hamilton Harbour in 1992. Approximately 160 m 3 of sediment was removed from Randle's Reef in Hamilton Harbour using Cable Arm's clamshell bucket, in October 1992. Some of the sediment was treated in-place prior to its removal. The bucket was reconstructed based on recommendations from the Toronto demonstration. The on-site audit proved the technology's ability to decrease sediment resuspension and the operator was able to decant more water from the closed bucket.