What is the Contaminated Sites program?
The GNWT Contaminated Sites Program assesses, remediates, and monitors contaminated sites for which the GNWT is responsible. Contaminated sites are areas of land, water, groundwater, or sediments that have levels of contaminants exceeding established environmental standards or guidelines.
In 2014, through Devolution, the GNWT became the steward on public lands throughout the territory. This included taking responsibility for additional contaminated sites, including abandoned mine and exploration sites, abandoned oil and gas sites, and other abandoned third-party-operated contaminated sites. Through the GNWT Contaminated Sites Program, the GNWT ensures that contaminated sites are managed to reduce risks to people and the environment while reducing the GNWT’s environmental liabilities.
Contaminated sites that are the responsibility of the GNWT are recorded on the GNWT Environmental Liabilities List, available through the public-facing GNWT Environmental Liabilities Dashboard. There are approximately 215 sites on the Environmental Liabilities List (as of March 31, 2024) which are in various stages of assessment, remediation, and monitoring.
What are the different types of contaminated sites in the NWT?
There are a variety of contaminated sites within the NWT. The sites for which the GNWT is responsible can be found on the GNWT Environmental Liabilities Dashboard.
During negotiations to finalize the NWT Land and Resources Devolution Agreement, the GNWT and Canada decided which government would be responsible for various contaminated sites in the NWT. A number of sites were transferred to the GNWT, while others remained under federal jurisdiction.
The Devolution Agreement sets out five categories of contaminated sites in the NWT:
- Released Sites are sites that were transferred to the GNWT through Devolution on April 1, 2014, and are now the responsibility of the GNWT.
- Remediated Sites are sites that were remediated by Canada and transferred through Devolution to the GNWT on April 1, 2014, and are now the responsibility of the GNWT, with warranties from Canada in place.
- Excepted Waste Sites are sites on GNWT land that were identified for additional negotiations between Canada and the GNWT. Financial liabilities for these sites were not transferred to the GNWT. These sites include Ptarmigan Mine, Tin Mine, Tom Mine, Crestaurum Mine, Rodstrom Mine and Burwash Mine.
- Sites Requiring Remediation are sites that were retained by Canada at Devolution and that will not be transferred to the GNWT until remediated by Canada and the GNWT agrees to accept the sites.
- Operating Sites are sites that were transferred to the GNWT on April 1, 2014, but with the potential to transfer the liability back to Canada if the operator no longer exists and if an environmental liability associated with the site was identified within five years of the transfer date. As a result, two sites were identified and transferred back to Canada through this process.
How does the GNWT prioritize the remediation of its contaminated sites?
The GNWT has adopted a risk-based approach to the management of contaminated sites. The objectives of a risk-based environmental management approach are to assess risks to human health and the environment and to implement risk management solutions that address these risks. This involves identifying the contaminant(s) of concern, identifying potential receptors, determining potential exposure pathways, and estimating the level of risk based on the pathways. The risk-based approach also assists with prioritizing the allocation of resources within the GNWT.
The GNWT decides which contaminated sites to prioritize based on levels of risk to people, property, and the environment.
The risk of each contaminated site is reviewed annually, taking the following criteria into account for each site:
- Human health and safety
- Concerns of Indigenous peoples, northern residents, and stakeholders
- Impacts on the environment
- Financial and legal obligations
Consequences for each criteria are identified, and the severity and likelihood of these consequences are determined. This analysis establishes the risk level for a site.
Sites ranked high and medium risk are identified as priorities for action.
What is the remediation process for contaminated sites in the NWT?
Assessing, remediating, and monitoring contaminated sites is guided by the GNWT Approach to Contaminated Sites Management. The GNWT determines the approach to remediation of a contaminated site based on land use, the feasibility of remedial technologies, cost, and public and regulatory acceptance. Remediation is guided by the applicable environmental standards and legislative requirements. Learn more about the steps for managing contaminated sites here.