Premier Andrew Furey says the provincial government is willing to sit down with the various government departments and agencies responsible and find a resolution to the issue facing the town of St. Mary’s.
Mayor Steve Ryan is worried and frustrated with what he feels is a pending environmental and public health disaster involving the old fish sauce plant, abandoned two decades ago.
The building contains huge vats of fermenting fish sauce, some of which has already been discharged into the ocean.
(St. Mary’s Mayor Steve Ryan.)
Ryan was recently made aware of a study that shows the effluent is highly toxic, and that the deadly and highly flammable gas H2S has been detected in the building.
He wants help and says the town feels abandoned by both the federal and provincial governments.
Speaking with reporters in Placentia yesterday, Premier Andrew Furey said the province is willing to discuss possible solutions with the various agencies involved.
He sympathizes with area residents and says government is willing to sit down with those responsible to find a resolution.
The town is hosting a public information session this afternoon at 1:00. VOCM News will be there.
