according to Government.

Tests have already proved marine algae and some invertebrates colonised experimental ash blocks in Tynes Bay and Castle Harbour after only three months.

Results of tests into the effect of the new incinerator on the environment were revealed to the Development Applications Board last week.

Technical officers from the Ministry of Works and Engineering faced tough questioning from the board.

And the results appear to provide some relief to environmentalists who are concerned about waste material and smoke from the incinerator when it is fully operational.

The report covered all areas of waste on the Island including recycling and the disposal of hazardous waste.

Most of Bermuda's trash will go to the incinerator but the problem of how to deal with the resulting waste then arises. Principal Civil Engineer (Structures) Mr. Neil Allan explained how artificial reefs had been constructed in 1991 in Castle Harbour and Tynes Bay.

The reefs were made of ash blocks made up of typical waste from the incinerator and cement.

Mr. Allan said: "To date the results of the study show that colonisation of the marine algae and some marine invertebrates occurred after only three months.

"There has been no deterioration of the blocks and no measurable uptake of metals in sediments or marine life.'' He said monitoring of the blocks would continue for five years after the start of the incinerator.

Research Officer (Hydrogeology) Mrs. Patricia Begeman said the study favoured Tynes Bay as a disposal site because experiments indicated the ash would be diluted at a more rapid rate than in the enclosed area of Castle Harbour.

Mrs. Begeman said the Ministry will act on its planning permission to deposit cement-stabilised ash at the Civil Air Terminal to create extra land.

She said: "At a later date the Ministry may submit a planning application to propose disposal at Tynes Bay.'' Chief Engineer Mr. David Arden and Mr. Allen told the board that trucks would make six to eight trips each day, and ash would be mixed with cement in transit.

Concern was expressed about the effect of the frequency of the trips on the Causeway Bridge. Mr. Arden said: "Normal sized trucks would be used and the bridge is well capable of carrying these loads without any adverse effects.'' He added that the incinerator would be fuelled by refuse alone and there would be no need for oil.

Solid Waste Manager Mr. Dan Hoornweg told the board the recycling scheme was not as successful as it could be.

Mr. Hoornweg said: "Presently the public participation rate in the Residential Recycling Programme is thought to be about 50 percent. It should be 80 percent or greater.'' The Ministry wants to double or treble the amount of recycled domestic waste from the current rate of 30-35,000 tons per year, but added participation was slowly climbing.

The board will be asked to put suggestions, comments and questions in writing to the Ministry.