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On Tuesday it was announced by the provincial environment minister, Gordon Wilson that Northern Pulp would need to complete a more extensive environmental assessment of the proposed effluent pipe.
The decision essentially means the plant will have to shut down unless they are given permission to operate temporarily by the Boat Harbour Act.
Following the announcement Northern Pulp provided a press release that expressed disappointment in the governments’ decision, they also stressed the importance of knowing if the Boat Harbour arrangement will be ratified.
The Boat Harbour Act allows Northern Pulp to dispose of their effluent into nearby lagoons.
“We ask that the Government of Nova Scotia provide a decision on the Boat Harbour Act as soon as possible to ease the sense of unknown amongst the thousands of families who are anxiously awaiting a decision on their future in Nova Scotia.”
Northern Pulp added that they would not be making any further statements until the Boat Harbour situation is dealt with.
Premier McNeil responded with his own release which directly addressed the concerns surrounding Boat Harbour.
“Our government now faces a very difficult decision – whether to give the company an extension to allow it to do the work necessary to prove it can operate in an environmentally sound manner, or let the Boat Harbour deadline stand, effectively shutting down the mill.”
He says the government will be prepared to make that decision on Friday, at which point they will make an announcement.
If permission is not granted to continue operations it is still not known what would happen to the 300 people who are directly employed by Northern Pulp.
