Pulp mills polluting Athabasca

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Edmonton

Construction of a $1.3 billion pulp mill be Alberta Pacific Forest industries near Athabasca may never get off the ground if its future owners can't convince the government and

public it will be environmentally safe.

That was the warning from Alberta's Environment Minister Ralph Klein last week after finding major flaws in the developer's Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

A recent government review of Alberta Pacific's environmental impact assessment showed 231 areas of concern for the Alberta government.

Klein stressed the importance of clarifying the questions for the public or the project could meet its fate this fall when the public hearings are completed.

"There are a number of scenarios that could develop. That could be a scaling down of the operation, a refinement of the (effluent) treatment process, the addition of some

equipment and so on," Klein said.

Late last week, a new Alberta Environment study strongly indicated that oxygen levels in the Athabasca River are reduced drastically, particularly during severe periods in

winter, from pollution caused by two existing pulp mills along its banks.

The study says pulp mill discharges in Hinton and Whitecourt are reducing oxygen levels in the Athabasca River below Canadian standards. If all planned mills proceed, it says

that poses a threat to existing aquatic life in the river if pollution reduction is not enforced.

Klein announced tougher measures could be taken to ensure the project meets provincial standards including forcing existing pulp mill companies to improve treatment of

wastes. Mills could be forced to cut production this winter, he warned, if there is a serious threat to the river.

His announcement comes as public hearings into the highly-controversial development are scheduled to begin next week in the mill-site area.

But if Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Ltd. Can't prove to the provincial government or the general public its project is safe for the environment, it could be scaled down or

rejected all together, said Klein.

The issues that pose the greatest concerns for the Native leaders and environmentalists are the amounts of cancer-causing chemical deposits from the mills into the Athabasca

River.

Many Native communities are dependent on fishing and hunting along the northern Alberta waterway.

Fort McMurray band Chief Robert Cree believes the provincial government is finally realizing what Native leaders have been saying since the proposed mill development was

announced late last year.

"I'm glad there has been a review into this thing. It should have never been rushed into" in the first place, he said.

"There has never been time given toward what we (Indian bands) have to say."

He said both the provincial and federal government are taking positive steps by including Fort McKay Chief Jim Boucher on the Environment review panel comprised of

provincial and federal officials and area community leaders.

The Fort McMurray, Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan bands would be downstream from the proposed pulp mill, thought to be the largest of its kind in the world.

Boucher wasn't available for comment but Cree said this latest environmental revelation will be taken into consideration during next week's review hearings.

The first public hearing is scheduled for the town of Prosperity Sept.. 11 at Prosvita Hall at 7 p.m.

Athabasca Community Hall will host the next meeting Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.

There will be meetings in Fort McMurray Sept.. 13, Lac La Biche Sept. 14 and Fort Smith, N.W.T. Sept.. 18.