Bennett Environmental Inc.: The Quebec Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Will Not Take Any further Action With Respect to the Prior Notice to the Issuance of an Order

Business Wire, Dec 5, 2005

OAKVILLE, Ontario -- Bennett Environmental ("BEI") (TSX:BEV)(AMEX:BEL) announced today that it has been notified by the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks ("MSDEP") that, subsequent to a request made by BEI subsidiary Recupere-Sol Inc. ("RSI"), the MSDEP has issued a new amended Certificate of Authorization to RSI for the operations of its facility located in St. Ambroise, Quebec.

BEI has also been notified by the MSDEP that, in the circumstances, it is not necessary to take further action with respect to the Prior Notice issued on September 17, 2004 (see Bennett news release dated September 19, 2004) and that it will not issue an order against RSI.

This MSDEP decision is the result of intensive discussions that took place between BEI and RSI management and MSDEP officials with respect to the issues raised in the Prior Notice.

The new amended Certificate of Authorization provides that RSI will comply with ambient air quality criteria for dioxins and furans from the RSI plant, as well as a detailed environmental monitoring plan.

Specifically, the new amended Certificate of Authorization provides that within 18 months RSI will comply with an annual average ambient air quality criteria of 60 fg TEQ/m3 for dioxins and furans that are attributable to its operations. RSI is confident that it can continue to meet this annual average ambient air quality criteria based on the results of its sampling program, which has been improved in accordance with MSDEP requests. Since the improvements to the program were implemented last April, the sampling results indicate an average measurement of less than 20 fg TEQ/m3 of dioxins and furans in the ambient air, which is below the 60 fg TEQ/m3 criteria that is provided for in the new amended Certificate of Authorization.

In addition, the new amended Certificate of Authorization provides that RSI will increase the sampling frequency provided for in RSI's air monitoring protocol, particularly with respect to the sampling of ambient air.

RSI has invested more than $8.8 million over the past three years on environmental performance measures such as, a new storage building, and a new post-treatment soil cooling system. RSI also obtained ISO 14001 certification in 2004.

These undertakings and performance measures will allow RSI to maintain its position as a market leader in the treatment of dioxin and furan contaminated soils. RSI is proud to be among those companies that adhere to the most stringent standards applicable to ambient air emission limits for dioxins and furans in Quebec.

The President and CEO of BEI, Mr. Al Bulckaert said that he "is pleased that this matter is now concluded" and adds "that BEI and RSI look forward to collaborating with the MSDEP to ensure that RSI continues to meet the stringent requirements established by the Government of Quebec for the protection of its citizens."

Certain statements contained in this press release and in certain documents incorporated by reference into this press release constitute forward-looking statements.The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and "confident" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. BEI believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in, or incorporated by reference into, this press release should not be unduly relied upon.These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. BEI undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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 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").

Bennett Environmental Inc. (TSX:BEV) (AMEX:BEL)