Press release Oosterweel DIY

07.01.2022 | Press release Oosterweel DIY:

Lantis persists in Oosterweel DIY; 

coalition of action groups wants thorough approach to pollution

Antwerp, 07.01.2022

Earlier today BAM/Lantis communicated that the Oosterweel works will soon resume, and that only limited adjustments will be made. The coalition of Greenpeace, Grondrecht and Thomas Goorden reacted disappointed. "We are not opposed to the Oosterweel project, but we want the PFOS pollution at the site to be taken seriously. That requires a plan for the remediation of the region. When will we finally start working on a real solution for the pollution in our backyard?"

---

Last week, the Council of State suspended the declarations of conformity of the Technical Reports for the Oosterweel construction site on the Left Bank and the Scheldt Tunnel. The Council stated that the action groups had sufficiently demonstrated that there was a problem with the relocation of soil, to provisionally suspend the declaration of conformity of the Technical Report of Lantis. As a result, Lantis can no longer engage in earthmoving. During the hearing, the auditor at the Council of State was also particularly critical of the approach at the Oosterweel construction site. The auditor stated that the soil excavated by Lantis should be classified as waste, as stipulated in the materials decree. In principle, this waste should end up at a licensed landfill.

The coalition reacted with disappointment to the limited changes that Lantis announced today. “The storage of PFOS soils on 3M’s premises is not our only concern. We had hoped that the government would finally work on a comprehensive remediation plan for the region, based on the latest scientific insights. It is essential to us that the pollution in our living environment is cleaned up, and that polluter 3M pays for it,” says Jonas Vernimmen, spokesperson for Fundamental Rights. “In addition, we are counting on measures to ensure that pollution does not spread, whether or not work is halted.”

“We now see that the government is not doing this for the time being, but is continuing with the same momentum of tinkering with standards and environmental legislation.”, says Joeri Thijs (Greenpeace). “There is no plan to safely and legally dispose of the PFOS soils, and there is still no thorough remediation of this region. There is also still no plan to make 3M pay for it.”

“They also adhere to the applied framework of standards. While these standards are scientifically outdated. Moreover, they were drawn up on the basis of what was feasible to realise the Oosterweel project, while the protection of the environment and public health should have been the primary consideration”, says Thomas Goorden.

The coalition says it is always prepared to negotiate. “Our door has always been open to discuss this dossier. Although it is essential for us that we can discuss the substance of the matter, namely scientifically substantiated soil standards, safe processing of PFOS soils and a remediation of this region.”

---