POLICY REPORT
                                  ENVIRONMENT 


                                      Date:  September 10, 1996
                                      Dept. File No. EPB015.REP




   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     Deputy City Engineer - Co-ordinator, Major Projects


   SUBJECT:  George Wainborn Park, Soil Contamination


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT Council advise the Minister of Environment that the City will
        accept the risk management approach to soil remediation on George
        Wainborn Park.  However, the City will not take dedication of
        George Wainborn Park due to the contaminated soil, some of which is
        at Special Waste level.  Instead, the City will enter into a
        long-term lease of George Wainborn Park with the Province of B.C.,
        including agreements satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services
        and the City Manager.


   CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

        The City Manager and the General Manager of Parks and Recreation,
        in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, recommends
        approval of the recommendation.



   COUNCIL POLICY

   When Council dealt with the Quayside Neighbourhood and remaining Parcels
   (including Parcel 1 which contains George Wainborn Park), it received
   for information the remedial plans which were supported by the technical
   advisory groups, Ministry of Environment staff and City staff.  Council
   also advised the Ministry of Environment that it would enter into a
   lease of Quayside Park with the Province of B.C. because of the
   contaminated soil being left in place.  Council previously approved a
   lease for Andy Livingstone Park (Parcel 9) due to the nature and degree
   of contamination left in place.


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   PURPOSE


   This report seeks Council approval for entering into a lease agreement
   for George Wainborn Park from the Province of B.C.


   BACKGROUND

   The remedial plan for George Wainborn Park was described in the Council
   report titled, "North Side False Creek - Quayside Neighbourhood and
   Remaining Parcels" dated April 13, 1993, which is on file with City
   Clerk's Office.

   The remedial plan is a risk assessment/risk management approach which
   ensures that there will not be any adverse effects on human health or
   the environment.

   A prior-to condition of the rezoning for Parcel 1 indicated that the
   Park would be delivered at no cost to the City either by conveyance of
   dedication or long-term lease.



   DISCUSSION

   George Wainborn Park is situated in Parcel 1 of the Pacific Place Site
   (See Appendix A - Site Plan).  The remedial plan estimates that
   approximately 150 cubic metres of special waste soil containing arsenic
   and oil and grease exist in a small area shown on the site plan as AEC
   12.  The waste is approximately 2 to 5 metres below the existing
   surface.  The Pacific Place Remediation Project Manager estimates the
   cost of removal, including disposal, could be between $250,000 to
   $500,000.

   Contamination above the Park-use criteria (level B) but less than
   special waste also exists on site; approximately 3850 cubic metres of
   soil between levels B and C contaminated with metals and organics and
   approximately 2300 cubic metres of level C to Special Waste of metals
   and organics (See Appendix B), will be left in place under the risk
   management plan.

   As was the case for Andy Livingstone and Quayside Parks, remediation by

   risk assessment/management ensures that the contamination which will
   remain does not create a health or an environmental hazard.




                                     - 3 -



   B.C. Environment does put requirements on sites which are risk-managed,
   such as, registration of the Special Waste as an approved in-situ
   management facility; registration of the site on the Contaminated Sites
   Registry (once Bill 26 is enacted); indemnification of the Crown and her
   employees, agents, etc., for losses, damage suits related to
   contaminants remaining on site; a restrictive covenant registered
   against the title of the property describing the nature, location and
   remedial action taken regarding the contamination; on-going maintenance
   of the risk management measures; prior approval of the Ministry where
   construction, excavation or any other disturbances of the contaminants

   will occur; and possible financial guarantees where a risk of
   abandonment or of non-performance of the operator exists.

   If the City takes dedication of the Park, some but not all of the above
   provisions would be required; however, if the City leased the Park from
   the Province, the above obligations and liabilities would clearly rest
   with the Province and would be covered in a lease agreement similar to
   that for Andy Livingstone and Quayside Parks.


   CONCLUSIONS

   This report recommends the City enter into a lease agreement with the
   Province of B.C. for George Wainborn Park because of the contaminants
   which will be left in place under the risk management
   remedial plan.  This recommendation is consistent with the agreements
   already in place for Andy Livingstone and Quayside Parks within the
   Pacific Place site.




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