Today, March 14, Northern Pulp received the terms of reference it will use to prepare its environmental analysis for its proposed mill revitalization project and new pulp effluent plant.
The environmental assessment must include a description of the company’s Pictou County project, as well as a plan to reduce or eliminate any environmental risks.
The company has until March 14, 20,24 to submit its environmental evaluation, which addresses all requirements set forth in the terms of reference to the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Once the Department has received an environmental assessment, the next steps of this legislated process will be:
- The Minister refers to the independent, appointed Environmental Assessment Review Panel; the panel’s work will be guided by the science and evidence presented in the environmental assessments process.
- The panel oversees a report review that includes inputs from the Mikmaq and government reviewers. This review can also include public hearings
- After the public review, a panel prepares a report for the Minister. He then decides whether or not to approve the project.
- Once the project has been approved, a company may then proceed to the Industrial Approval stage and apply for a permit.
- After a company has identified all potential risks and impacts to the environment, and prepared a mitigation plan to address any changes that may occur as a result, the industrial approval stage sets emission and effluent standards.
The final terms of reference and the comments received from Northern Pulp, the Mikmaq, stakeholders and the public on the draft version are available at: https://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea/mill-transformation-and-effluent-treatment-facility/
Quick facts
- Nova Scotia’s law-enforced environmental assessment process balances economic growth with the protection of the environment. All companies who choose to do business in Nova Scotia must follow the same process.
- On July 15, 2021, the Province declared that Northern Pulps mill revitalization project and effluent treatment facility project must be subject to a Class II environmental review
- The company registered the project for a Class 2 environmental assessment on December 7, 2021
- The public consultation on the draft terms and conditions of reference was held from December 21st, 2021 to January 31st, 2022. This process is not consensus-based or public discussion.
- The company’s new proposal includes changes to the pulp mill as well as the design, construction, and operation of a new effluent treatment facility.
-30-
