Tories blast handling of Northern Pulp effluent proposal

Pictou West Karla MacFarlane remains firmly opposed to Northern Pulp Nova Scotia’s proposal to pump treated mill waste into the Northumberland Strait near Pictou.

She said that no scientific study has yet been conducted on the possible impacts on marine life and sea ice flow by an effluent pipe, telling The News that the government needs to conduct a more detailed environmental assessment.

Only a bird and vegetation study has been conducted so far, according to MacFarlane.

“I will never endorse a pipe into the Northumberland Strait with what I know,” said MacFarlane, echoing comments she made to local fishermen last November.

The present Boat Harbour treatment facility will close by 2020. Northern Pulp spokesperson Kathy Cloutier said in an email that her company is meeting the requirements for a 50-day Class 1 environmental review of its proposed replacement.

She also told The News that Northern Pulp is “holding itself to a standard of care,” regarding both scientific research and public engagement. She said the next sessions in the process would likely occur in late March.

Cloutier said that Northern Pulp aims to have the environmental assessment formally registered with Nova Scotia Environment by late spring or early summer.

“Prior to this as pre-registration engagement, Northern Pulp is committed to working with government, our neighbouring communities, Pictou Landing First Nation, and fishers of Northumberland Strait, throughout this process to share information and address concerns,” said Cloutier.

But Pictou East MLA Tim Houston, who is running for leader of the Progressive Conservatives, called on Environment Minister Iain Rankin to order a Class 2 review of up to 275 days for the proposed waste pipe. Such a review should also include independent experts offering possible alternatives to a waste pipe.

In his Jan. 29 letter, Houston wrote that Northern Pulp’s application to build an effluent pipe would require only a Class 1 assessment and it was important not to rush any decision or give people the impression that it was pre-determined.

“This issue has been very divisive and many people are worried about the potential impact of any such pipe on their livelihood, their community and the environment in general,” said Houston in his letter.

He warned Rankin that his decision would affect not just Nova Scotia but also people in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island for generations to come.

“From a historical and current perspective, it goes to the very heart of reconciliation with the Pictou Landing First Nation,” said Houston.

His colleague MacFarlane also pointed out that the Northumberland Fisheries Museum needed a Class 2 assessment when its water dock was built, delaying its completion by a year.

She was surprised that a much bigger project like Northern Pulp’s proposed waste pipe needed a less thorough review.

“We are putting out the pipe into the Northumberland Strait into a fishing ground area,” said MacFarlane. “That only requires a Class 1?”

In an emailed statement to The News, Rankin said that he appreciated the concerns raised by Houston and said that any decision must be based on the best available evidence and science.

“It’s important that we take action to clean up Boat Harbour. To do that, a new treatment option is needed so this 50-year-old facility can close by 2020,” said Rankin.

He added that a Class 1 environmental assessment is still “very comprehensive,” allowing the minister to accept or reject the project, ask for more information, or request an environmental assessment focus report.

Rankin said the proposed waste pipe has not yet been registered for an environmental assessment. When it is, the province will ask experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to provide their opinions and there will also be a 30-day period for public input.

“This project must meet our strict environmental standards,” said Rankin.