Prefatory Note

Phase1 - Environmental Site Assessment
Report

	PREFATORY NOTE
	During the review period for this report, significant progress has been made in the effort to decommission and remove buildings and wastes at the former Sydney Steel Plant. The following summary serves as an update of the information contained in this report as it relates to potential environmental issues associated with various buildings and structures on the site.
	Summary of Environmental Decommissioning and Demolition Sydney Steel Corporation February through December 2002:
	No. 2 Open Hearth (SCU 17) Between November 2001 and March 2002, all but the southern portion (approximately 100 metres) of the No. 2 Open Hearth Building (BD1) was demolished. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition. Demolition of the remainder of the building is planned for early 2003.
	Blast Furnace Area (SCU 19) Between March 2002 and May 2002, several buildings in the Blast Furnace Area were demolished. These included the Turbo Blowers building (BD 78), the blast furnace Clarifier (BD 80) and four additional buildings (BDs 79, 81, 81A and 87). All environmental decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition. In September 2002, four Bunker ‘C’ tanks were cleaned and removed from the south side of the ‘D’Boiler (“Boiler Extension” - BD 73). In addition, a hazardous materials survey of the ‘D’ Boiler building was conducted. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structure, and all required decommissioning actions have been completed with the exception of the removal of exterior asbestos-containing panels, which is currently underway. Demolition of the building is planned for December-January. The No. 3 and 7 Blast Furnaces (BD 70 and BD 82) were demolished in May through July 2002. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition, with the exception of a layer of asbestos insulation that was subsequently collected and disposed at approved locations. Demolition of the aboveground concrete foundations is planned for late 2003.
	Nos. 1 & 2 Piers Area (SCU 20) Between March 2002 and May 2002, several buildings in the Blast Furnace Area were demolished. These included the Docks Offices building (BD 86) and a small out building (BD 86A). SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition. In addition, several large piles of creosote timbers were processed and removed to the CBRM landfill for disposal during the Spring of 2002.
	Rail Finishing Mill (SCU 13) Demolition of the Rail Finishing Mill buildings (BD 19) commenced in October 2002, beginning with the 6/7/8 Bay portion. The 8 Bay Extension (BD 19A) was retained for future use. The majority of the 6/7/8 Bay building has been removed, and demolition of the 5 Bay building began on December 4, 2002. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition.
	Universal Mill Complex (SCU 15) Demolition of the Old Rail Mill (BD 13), Old Motor House (BD 11f), Old Reheat Furnace (BD 11g) and three other out buildings (BDs 11c, 11d, and 11e) was completed between April and July 2002. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition. Demolition of the Northern portion (approximately 100 metres) of the Axel Conditioning Building (BD 15) was completed in September 2002. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structure, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition.
	Liquid Air Plant (SCU 10) Demolition of the vertical oxygen tank located to the south of the Liquid Air Oxygen Plant (BD 49) was completed in September and October 2002. SEACOR prepared an Environmental Decommissioning Plan for the structure.
	High Dump and Central Slag Disposal Area (SCUs 26 & 27) Between May and October 2002, a surface debris cleanup program was carried out over much of the High Dump area. Activities included the removal of empty storage tanks and other metal debris that had been disposed of at the High Dump, the collection and removal of wood debris and solid waste, and the grading of various areas. Any oils or hazardous wastes encountered during the cleanup operations were taken to the Brick Shed for temporary storage prior to disposal off site.
	Nos. 3 & 4 Piers Area (SCU 29) Between May and August 2002, a surface debris cleanup program was carried out over much of this area. Activities included the removal of metal debris and piles of bulk materials such as slag and sintering fines. Demolition of the Transfer Building (BD 30) took place in August 2002. Demolition of the North Crane took place on November 13, 2002. SEACOR prepared Environmental Decommissioning Plans for both structures, and all required decommissioning actions were completed prior to demolition.
	Tank Farm (SCU 32) Asbestos-containing insulation was removed from piping in the Tank Farm (BD 88) early in the summer of 2002. Removal of waste materials from the storage tanks in the Tank Farm compound began in August 2002. With the onset of winter, the removal and processing of wastes has been suspended until the spring. In the interim, a large amount of water and fuel was treated and disposed of off site.
	Asbestos Debris Area (SCU 34) In the spring and summer of 2002, additional materials were added to the asbestos-containing debris disposal area. Materials included metal siding with an asbestos-containing coating and a mixture of brick and asbestos insulation from four of the eight blast furnace stoves. All materials were placed in lifts (layers) and each lift was covered with a layer of soil. A final layer of soil was placed over the entire disposal area in July 2002.

PREFATORY NOTE