Bennett Environmental Files for Judicial Review

Business Wire, July 13, 2004

OAKVILLE, Ontario -- Bennett Environmental Inc. (AMEX:BEL) (TSX:BEV) today filed an application for judicial review in the federal court of Canada challenging the jurisdiction of the federal Minister of the Environment's decision to refer to a panel review, the assessment of the potential transboundary environmental effects of the proposed high-temperature thermal oxidizer treatment facility to be operated in Belledune, New Brunswick.

On May 20, 2004, the Company welcomed a long-awaited report from the federal Canadian Environment Assessment Agency (CEAA) which confirmed that "there is no reason to conclude that the project (Bennett's Belledune facility) is likely to cause significant adverse transboundary environmental effects." The study team was comprised of experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and CEAA. Despite the findings in this report, the federal Minister of the Environment referred to CEAA to undertake a panel review assessing the potential transboundary environmental effects of Bennett's Belledune facility.

The Company has asked the Federal Court of Canada to review the legal authority of the Minister to make this decision regarding a completed facility, rather than a proposed project. A ruling by the Federal Court is expected by the end of the year and is the most expeditious means to determine the legality and requirement to hold a panel review. The Company believes that this judicial review will have no adverse impact on the progress of the new facility in Belledune, New Brunswick.

About Bennett Environmental Inc.

Bennett Environmental Inc. is a North American leader in high temperature treatment services for the remediation of contaminated soil and has provided thermal solutions to contamination problems throughout Canada and the US. Bennett Environmental's proprietary technology provides for the safe, economical and permanent solution to contaminated soil. Independent testing has consistently proven that the technology operates well within the most stringent criteria in North America.

Bennett Environmental is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEV") and the American Stock Exchange (Trading Symbol "BEL").