Federal minister signs off on province’s Boat Harbour cleanup plan
The Nova Scotia government has received approval from Ottawa for its $425-million plan to clean up Boat Harbour, a body of water near Pictou Landing First Nation that has been contaminated by effluent from the Northern Pulp mill. Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault issued the decision last Friday, stating that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.
The approved plan includes expanding an existing hazardous waste containment facility on-site, increasing its capacity significantly. However, before this work can proceed, Build Nova Scotia must fulfill a list of conditions, including communications planning, consultation with First Nations, protection of fish and habitat, preservation of health and socio-economic conditions of Indigenous people, and retaining environmental and Indigenous monitors throughout the process.
One of the key conditions is the establishment of an advisory committee to explore alternative locations for the sludge removed from Boat Harbour. This committee is a response to concerns from Pictou Landing First Nation, who do not want the sludge stored in the area. If an alternative site is not found within one year, the committee can continue its work for up to 10 years.
Chief Tamara Young of Pictou Landing First Nation welcomed the conditions attached to the approval but expressed concerns about the feasibility of building a new landfill for the waste. The community has suffered significant environmental and health harm and is determined to ensure their rights and well-being are safeguarded.
Build Nova Scotia is currently reviewing the conditions to determine their impact on the project implementation. The timeline for the remediation and construction phase is estimated to be four to seven years, with a budget of $425 million.
The cleanup project follows the closure of the Northern Pulp mill in 2020, prompting the need to restore Boat Harbour to its original state. The parent company of Northern Pulp is exploring the possibility of establishing a new operation in the Liverpool area.
Overall, the approval of the remediation plan for Boat Harbour comes with stringent conditions aimed at protecting the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities. The government and stakeholders will need to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the project while addressing the concerns of all parties involved.
