Island tourism association looking for answers on Northern Pulp plan

The CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. says Northern Pulp's plan to pump effluent into the Northumberland Strait needs more research.

Kevin Mouflier says he and his counterparts in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick asked Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil in mid-April for a more extensive environmental assessment be done around the mill's plans to pipe treated effluent into the Strait as earlyas 2020.

"The lack of research that has been conducted is not acceptable. They really need more environmental assessments done," Mouflier said.

Northern Pulp is located on the southern side of Pictou Harbour, in Nova Scotia.

'Beautiful, clean waters'

TIAPEI is concerned this could have a major impact on tourism.

"We have such beautiful, clean waters in Prince Edward Island and all three [Maritime] provinces. It could be a definite deterrent to our tourists."

'Based on science'

Rachel Boomer, communications director for the Nova Scotia environment department, said the treatment facility meets the regulatory requirements for a Class 1 assessment.

"It's important we take action to clean up Boat Harbour. A new treatment option is needed so this 50-year-old facility can close by 2020," Boomer said.

"The environmental assessment decision must be based on science and the best available evidence. The existing process will ensure both of those objectives are met."

'You have to have your data'

Mouflier is particularly worried about the possible effect on the fishing industry.

"When you're putting multi-million dollars into something like this, you have to have your data and your ducks in a row."

Environmental assessment delayed

The environmental assessment that was supposed to start this month will be delayed because the route the pipe was going to take is too close to a shipwreck. Company officials say a new route will have to be developed.

Northern Pulp saidthe effluent will dissipate quickly, but Mouflier isn't convinced.

"They haven't shown the research yet to prove that."

He noted representatives of Northern Pulp were questioned about the plan in the P.E.I. Legislature in February.

"They couldn't answer a lot of the questions."

A rally in opposition to the effluent plan is being held Friday afternoon in Pictou.

Boomer said federal and provincial experts will review the assessment once completed. There will be a 30-day period for the public to give input.

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