PAGE 2, WHITY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1991 PCB storage proposa'l icriiticized FROM PAGE 1 «We have no reason to believe he's flot going to try and comply with the order,» said Simmons. Shouid he not compiy, Robin- son would ho hiable to prosecu- tion under the Federai Fisheries Act., Robinson's Toronto attorney Mark Madras was not availabie for comment whiie his Oshawa solicitor Mark Frayne preferred, not to comment. A spokesman for the environ- ment ministry was not availabie for comment. According to MPP White, ministry officiais told hlm the pposed storage*ste is about one-quarter mile from the tire >dumisonbas an ostimated 100,000 used tires stored at the wrecking yard. The environment ministry has delayed issuing hlm a certificate of approval for the dump until he compiles with ail municipal and fire code regulations governing the site. White said that even if Robin- sonys application for PCB storage meets ministry gidelines, the municipality could block it. "f the TIown is not satisfied, that would basically make it ipsible for approval,'ý said East ward councillor Fox expecte and wants the Town to, 1P1 ottinkie a good idea at ail, what weroe doing is multi- plying the saine problem by two,» said Fox. "We'd have-the PCB problemn at the tire yard and the PEI stili at the dock.» Town administrator Bill Wal- lace said the muw'ipality recei- yod a letter froin Robinson's layer outingthe proposai. But until -the actual applica- tion is received, the Town will withold'comment, said Wallace. With this latest endeavour, Robinson has tied together two separate issues which have caused consternation for govern- monts of ail levels. Originally destined for the CaribbDean as, a fioating generat- ing station, the Prince Edward Island bas' dominated Whitby's waterfront since its arrivai four years aço. Wishing te rid itself of the vessol, Town council battled with senior levels of government over which was responsiblo for order- ing the boat's removai. The Town tried te foroe Robin- son te move the vessel two years ag but was thwarted i its elorts by the federal goverfi- ment. Whitby officiais were not aware Ottawa was coiiecting docking fees from Robinson. But last year the Town made another attmpt after jurisdic- tion of the harbour was transfor- red te the municipality. Robinson was charged undor the provincial Trespass Act and will apea in court next month. Additionaiiy, the Towds solici- tor was instructed te obtain a mandatery injunction against Robinson. If the finunction is granted and Robinson ordored te remove the boat, ho wouid ho in contempt of court should hoe not ohoy. Possible penalties could in- clude fines and/or imprisonmont. Although the fate of the boat romnains in limbo, the PCB p.ro- blein wili apparently ho rectified as aresuit ofthe fedeal order. Two transformers containing 500 gallons of PCB-contammnated oil are on board the vessel. PCBs (polychlorinatod biphenyls) were contained in oiis used as coolants for eloctrical transformiers until their 'roduc- tion was banned in the 19Os. Tests have linked PCBs te causing cancer and other heaith probiems in laboratery animais. Aithough officiais knew of the PCBs, they were powerless te do aneteiag.regulations siplted that as long as the transformers were considered operabie, the government couid not order their removal. Oniy if an emergency occurred or the threat of imminent danger existed could the governinent take appropriate measures.' Deoember's sinking provided that opportunity. Whie the transformers were in no immediate danger, federai officiais teok no chances and siapped the dlean-up order on A rocent inspection of the boat by the Canadien Coast Guard since it was refloated by Robin- son found no major probiems. As for the tire dump, Robin- son's yard was one of nine Ontario sites which had 24-hour security guards posted by the province. foiiowing hast year's Hiagrville tire fire disaster. A fire burned for aimost one month at a Hagerovilie, Ont. dump containing 14 million tires. A group of young offondors were chargod in connection with the fire. At the saine turne as its posted the guards, the government toughened regulations governing tire duinps. ALAN. BREIN worke high up on the roof of the Garden St. apartment complex that was'torched by arsonists. The roof is alimost complete but major repafr je needed on the inside. b- $4.00 SALE SAL $59 SAL $69. Relai $1,349.00 SALE 899