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NEWS RELEASE (CNS975) -->> TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC
WORKS--FISH PLANTS AID HIGHWAYS




TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--FISH PLANTS AID HIGHWAYS
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Salt used to cure and dry fish will soon be recycled as a de-icer
on some roads in Shelburne County, during a pilot project
between area fish plants and the Department of Transportation and
Public Works.

The department, which uses approximately 240,000 tonnes of road
salt each year at a cost of over $20 million, is buying 100
tonnes of salt from five fish plants. The salt will be tested on
approximately nine kilometres of road in the Barrington
Municipality.

"We'll be using the salt in our stockpiles to prevent sand from
freezing in clumps," said Greg Newell, the department's area
manager in Yarmouth.

The salt, which costs half the price, will be screened to remove
fish particles and then mixed with sand. "It's very unlikely that
there will be an odour problem since we're only using a minimal
amount of salt -- about five per cent of the total truck load,"
Mr. Newell said.

Fish packing salt had been dumped in landfills. However, with new
environmental regulations, this option was no longer available
and the South Western Nova Scotia Fish Packers Association began
exploring alternate uses for salt.

"The Town of Clark's Harbour has been using our waste salt for
two years now and they've indicated they are pleased with it,"
said Denny Morrow, executive director of the association. "It
seemed reasonable to expand on that, so I approached the
department last spring."

He said he was pleased that a pilot is proceeding. "It has great
potential for taxpayers and for fish processors who can benefit
from the sale of what has been a waste product. It is also an
innovative way to reduce the amount of salt that winds up in the
environment," Mr. Morrow said.

The department's technical services staff tested the salt's
effectiveness as a de-icer. The Department of Environment has
also been involved to ensure that the salt wouldn't have any
adverse environmental impacts.

"We've now been given the green light to proceed with the
project," Mr. Newell said. "The project makes a lot of sense.
It's an environmentally sound way to dispose of the salt, while
providing a financial return to fish plants and helping us trim
part of our snow and ice control budget."

The Department of Transportation and Public Works will be
monitoring applications closely to make sure the salt is
effective, and that there are no adverse effects. If the pilot
proves successful, it may be expanded.

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Contact: Greg Newell                        902-742-2416

         Denny Morrow                       902-742-6168

         Public Affairs and Communications  902-424-8687

trp                        Dec. 20, 1996 - 3 p.m.