Alton natural gas project gets boost when minister dismisses four appeals

The chief of the Sipekne'katik First Nation has vowed to keep fighting the construction of a natural gas storage facility near Stewiacke, despite a decision by Nova Scotia's environment minister to dismiss four of six appeals filed against the project.

In January, the province gave AltaGas industrial approval to build a brine storage pond in Colchester County. The Calgary company temporarilyhalted construction on the facility after six appeals were filed against the project.

Rufus Copage, chief of the Sipekne'katik First Nation, said he's disappointed by the minister's decision.

"My main concern is that they're going to start up operations and start dumping that brine in our river and ruining our river," he said.

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"People should care. We've been fishing that river for all my life," Copage said. "Most people around here fished that river with their grandparents or great-grandparents."

Copagesaid he had hoped the province would give community members time to study the information and have a referendum, but that didn't happen.

Minister stands behind decision

Environment Minister Margaret Miller saidshe's satisfied her department has considered the potential effects on the Shubenacadie Riverand properly consulted with First Nations peoplethe two major concerns highlighted in the appeals.

"There's been extensive consultation since, I believe, 2007," Miller said. "It's all been very well documented and I believe that... the province has met the full duty to consult."

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She said her decision to dismiss the appeals was based on science.

"Our job is to assess risk and to mitigate that risk," Miller said. "I believe that we have made the right decision and we've considered all potential impacts on the Shubenacadie River."

Boat Harbour comparison

Copage comparedthis situation to Boat Harbour a former tidal estuary in Pictou County which has beenreceiving waste water from the nearby Northern Pulp millsince the late 1960s.

"Look what happened in Boat Harbour. They wereassured the same thing: That there was going to be no problem with their river in the futureand look at it today," Copage said.

"We're very concerned with it ruining our river and once it's ruined, it's ruined. There's no coming back from that."

Miller said she considered all of the relevant information and "I'm very secure that I've made the right decision today." She said "it will be up to any appelants if they want to take this further."

Copage saidtheir protest will continue.

"We're not just going to lay down and quit and back off and say okay, that's it, you've made the decision."

He saidhe plans to meet with band councillors on Tuesday to decidetheir next move.

Miller has until April 25 to rule on the two outstanding appeals.

Project remains on hold

Spokesman for AltaGas, Jess Nieukerk, said the project will remain on hold until the summerin order to have more time to address the community's concerns.

He touted the benefits of the project for the area "including jobs, tax revenues and investment in the community."

Plus, Nieukerk said "natural gas is a good transition fuel for clean energy and brings more clean energy to the province of Nova Scotia."

AltaGas is hosting a job fair in Truroon April 26.