Final Terms of Reference for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment Report

The Environmental Assessment Branch with Nova Scotia Environment released Final Terms of Reference for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment Report required for the Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility environmental assessment.

The Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corporation Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp mill is located at Abercrombie Point adjacent to Pictou Harbour in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. The proposed project will consist of the development of a new effluent (wastewater) treatment facility (ETF) constructed on Northern Pulp property, and a transmission pipeline that will carry treated effluent overland and in the marine environment and discharge via an engineered diffuser (marine outfall).

The new ETF will employ the AnoxKaldnes BAS™ Biological Activated Sludge process purchased from Veolia Water Technologies, which combines Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology with conventional activated sludge. Once treated onsite at Northern Pulp's facility, effluent will be sent through an approximately 15 km long pipeline. The pipeline will enter the south side of Pictou Harbour and make landfall on the north side of the harbour roughly following Highway 106 right-of-way to Caribou, and then re-enters the marine environment adjacent to the Northumberland Ferries marine terminal and continues for approximately 4.0 km through Caribou Harbour to the Northumberland Strait, terminating at an engineered marine outfall.

On October 2, 2019, NPNS submitted the Focus Report for the Replacement Effluent Treatment Facility Project for environmental assessment. On December 17, 2019, the Minister of Environment determined that an Environmental Assessment Report is appropriate, pursuant to Section 18(b) of the Environmental Assessment Regulations.

On April 28, 2020, all project information including the Final Terms of Reference for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment Report will be available on Nova Scotia Environment website at http://www.novascotia.ca/nse/ea/. 

Northern Pulp will have 2 years following the date of the Final Terms of Reference to submit the EA Report. Where required studies would cause preparation of the EA Report to exceed the 2-year period, the Minister may extend the time period by 1 year.

If you have any questions related to the EA process, please contact us at EA@novascotia.ca.