J.D. Irving is seeking approval to install a new effluent treatment system at its Lake Utopia pulp mill in Saint John. The Conservation Council and others are worried that the upgrades may not improve conditions in the Bay of Fundy estuary that receives the effluent.
According to Passamaquoddy Chief Hugh Akagi who conducted research in the area during his career with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Science Branch, a significant effort is needed to remediate the site impacted by the mill. This remediation is currently not being considered in the environmental impact assessment for the mill upgrade.
Matt Abbott, the Conservation Council’s Fundy Baykeeper, told CBC that he hopes the provincial government considers improving existing conditions in the L’etang estuary in the environmental impact assessment process.
“It’s been very heavily impacted by this pulp and paper mill,” said Abbott.
“We need to look at the full picture and sort of make sure that we understand the issues as they stand, not just look at one very narrow aspect of this, really ensure that the most possible is being done.”
Read the CBC story here.