Ecojustice requests more time for public comments on focus report

HALIFAX, N.S. — Ecojustice, on behalf of the Friends of the Northumberland Strait, has asked Environment Minister Gordon Wilson to give the public more time to review Northern Pulp’s Focus Report.

The report was released on Oct. 3 and contains more than 2,500 pages. The focus report was required by Nova Scotia Environment to provide information that was missing from Northern Pulp’s original proposal for a replacement effluent treatment facility that would see treated pulp effluent piped into the Northumberland Strait. The public has until Nov. 8 to respond.

Ecojustice asked Wilson in a letter to keep the public comment period open for an additional 30 days, until Dec. 9, 2019. Nova Scotia’s Environmental Assessment Regulations allow the minister to provide more time in situations where the default time frame is insufficient.

“Public participation is a key part of the environmental assessment process,” said James Gunvaldsen Klaassen, a lawyer for Ecojustice. “People living and working in communities around the Northumberland Strait deserve enough time to voice their concerns. Northern Pulp’s focus report is well over two-and-a-half-thousand pages, containing many technical reports and additional materials. It is unrealistic and unfair to expect the general public to digest, understand, and respond before the Nov. 8 deadline.”

Jill Graham-Scanlan from Friends of the Northumberland Strait expressed similar concerns.

“Northern Pulp has had years to prepare these documents. The public and independent experts should not be rushed in their review of the new information Northern Pulp is finally presenting, which has not been available to us until now.”

In the meantime, FONS is hosting a public workshop at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at Pictou Lodge to help citizens prepare their responses to Northern Pulp’s focus report.

“While Northern Pulp’s focus report may be complex and lengthy, we have developed some helpful tips and tools that will make the task of responding far less intimidating,” Graham-Scanlan said. “You don’t need to be an expert and you don’t need to be a scientist. Everyone’s opinion counts, particularly if you have local knowledge that could be valuable.”

Along with tips and tools to create an effective response to Northern Pulp’s focus report, the workshop will also provide attendees an opportunity to share findings and ideas.

Graham-Scanlan and Klaassen will be presenting.