Remediation work on the site of the former Canadian International Paper (CIP) mill in Hawkesbury is nearing its end, and the public will eventually be able to access the area again.
Until the early 1980’s, the site was home to the mill and Hawkesbury’s largest industry. Today, there are just lagoons and a former landfill site near the Ottawa River.
According to a letter dated February 13, Hawkesbury Mayor Robert Lefebvre met with Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Kemptville-Kingston District Manager Adam Worth on January 17 to discuss the status of the ongoing remediation project of what is officially called the CIP Wet Lagoon landfill site.
According to Worth’s letter, the MNRF is taking measures to procure an engineering/environmental consultant to prepare the Final Closure Plan and Restoration Design for the site. The plan must be approved by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) before the closure implementation may proceed. Final landscaping and capping at the site is expected to take place in 2026-2027, contingent on MECP approval and funding. Beyond the official closure, ongoing leachate and water monitoring of the site is required for an additional 25 years.
A pedestrian bridge currently located on the site will be able to be installed during the final closure work. The installation of the bridge would restore a walking trail around the former lagoon part of the property. The western part of the property would remain fenced.
At the Monday, April 8 Hawkesbury council meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Samuel Cardarelli explained closing the remediation process will eventually allow the site to reopen for public access on paths and bridges. He said discussions are necessary between the Town of Hawkesbury and the MNRF to establish an agreement for property maintenance before the bridge may be installed and the path reopens.
