Cleaning Up the Former Cutler Acid Site on Serpent River First Nation Land
Official title: Serpent River First Nation - Cutler Acid Remediation Project
Serpent River First Nation wants to clean up a contaminated industrial site. The former Cutler Acid Site has soil polluted with metals, petroleum products, and other chemicals. About 82,200 cubic metres of contaminated soil will be dug up and hauled to a licensed disposal facility. The land will then be restored with native plants.
Why This Matters
This cleanup addresses decades of industrial contamination on First Nation land. For Serpent River First Nation members, it means safer land and water. Nearby residents may see increased truck traffic during excavation. The project shows how Indigenous communities are reclaiming polluted sites.
What Could Change
If approved, over 82,000 cubic metres of contaminated soil will be removed from the site. The land will be restored with native grasses and plants chosen by Serpent River First Nation. Gravel roads will be rebuilt after excavation is complete.
Key Issues
- How should contaminated soil be excavated and disposed of safely?
- What native plant species should be used to restore the site?
- How will areas with low pH be treated differently using hydrated lime?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.