The US Government is to spend almost $5 million clearing and repairing a landfill site exposed by storm surges during Hurricane Felix.

In a joint statement US Consul General Mr. Bob Farmer, and the Premier, the Hon. David Saul, said work should start next month and will involve clearing away the exposed rubbish and building a new protective wall.

During Hurricane Felix, on August 15, surges swept shoreline protection away exposing the landfill site on the Castle Harbour shoreline at the former US Naval Base.

On Friday, Mr. Farmer said a team had assessed the problem and a Navy Admiral had approved the spending of $4.7 million on the clean up as well as adding a new protective wall to prevent future erosion.

Agreement to clean the landfill area was reached about a month ago between the US and Bermuda Governments, but it was only recently that official papers giving it the go-ahead were signed.

Dr. Saul said: "The US Government, in a true spirit of co-operation has worked very hard and got professional advice on how this area can be repaired.

"It is a successful conclusion to negotiations to have Bermuda property repaired by the US.'' Mr. Farmer said a Navy team had been in Bermuda to assess the damage and although he said it would take some time to get the necessary materials, he expected work to begin in November and last for about six months.

"Felix subjected the Island to several days of storm surges and it exposed pieces of the landfill that had been covered for 30 years.

"A few days ago an Admiral signed papers committing the necessary funds to clean up the site,'' said Mr. Farmer.