City to commence with Moresby Park Tank Removal project

Fencing marks the spot for work ahead for tank removal at Moresby Park
The City is asking residents to stay away from the area in question to
allow for crews to take on the work of dismantling the structure

With the area fenced off and equipment in place, the City of Prince Rupert is advising the public to give an area of the Park Avenue side of Moresby Park a bit of a wide berth as a team from Sumas Contracting prepare to begin the removal of the first of the large fuel tanks that the City of Prince Rupert has marked for removal.

An update on the project was posted to the city's website and Social media resources on Friday alerting the public to the situation, as well as to recount some of the recent history towards the planned removal of the tank.

As the City was aware we would need to have the tanks removed, years ago we began putting away money towards their eventual removal and remediation. We had hoped to remove all of the tanks at once, but unfortunately due to the cost to remove them properly, we are only currently able to remove the one which poses the greatest potential risk to the surrounding environment. 

To fully remove this potential hazard, Sumas consulting has been hired treat and dispose of the water and separate the fuels and other contaminants for safe disposal at approved facilities. The tank will then be cleaned, and the remaining steel will be recycled, as feasible.

Heavy equipment and fencing along the pathway leading to the
Tank to be removed by Sumas Contracting

The City's statement also reviews some of their frustration with both the Department of National Defence and the Federal government, noting how they have made multiple attempts to request assistance towards removing what they describe as the 'environmental liability' but so far have not had much in the way of success, leaving the city to remove the tanks themselves.

An overhead view of the area of the three DND tanks in question,
Tank 3, the one closest to the Anchor Inn Apartments is the one
that will be the subject of removal

As the City only has enough money set aside for the work required on the first tank, which is the one deemed the most at risk, they will continue to set aside funds towards removing the remaining tanks as soon as they are able.

In September, at a Special Council session, City Council gave approval towards an increase of funding towards the project, with 675,000 dollars set aside for the work with an additional 100,000 dollars to be used from surplus for  any additional contingencies.

You can review the full statement from the City here.

Some of our past notes on the city's plans towards the old DND tanks in the popular recreation area can be explored below:

September 2019 -- City Council expected to move Moresby Park Fuel Tank removal project forward tonight
June 2019 -- City looks to move forward on Moresby Park tank removal plans
April 2017 -- City seeks request for proposals on Moresby Park removal and improvement project
March 2016 -- Council to receive update on Moresby Fuel tank removal project
October 2015 -- City to tackle environmental issues in Moresby Park

For more items of note on past Request for Bids see our archive page here, a wider over of City Council discussion themes can be found on our Council Discussion archive.