Legal Sector

FILLMORE RILEY BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS

Winnipeg, Manitoba

CHALLENGE: Fillmore Riley Barristers and Solicitors, on behalf of a confidential client, required information on the environmental risk associated with the purchase of a former manufactured gas plant property, defined under the Contaminated Sites Remediation Act as a contaminated site, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

SOLUTION: The extent and magnitude of the environmental risk associated with the site having a history of use as a manufactured gas plant was evaluated through a review of over fifteen previous environmental engineering assessment reports prepared for the site. The behaviour of the contaminant by-products associated with the coal gasification process, including coal tar, a dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL), was evaluated and the fate of the organic compounds associated with the by-products such as polyaromatic and mono-aromatic hydrocarbons was assessed. A technical review of previous soil and groundwater assessments conducted to delineate on and off-site impact in the area was reviewed and an opinion on the effectiveness of various remediation and management strategies proposed for the site was provided. The appropriateness of the previous site assessments conducted to evaluate the impact of the contaminant sources on human health and the environment were also reviewed.

The technical advice provided by Morrow was used in the negotiations and proceedings associated with a major property transfer. Morrow was successful in carrying out this major due diligence review over a very tight schedule that was pivotal to the property transfer.