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Airshed Group Deems Mill Permit Inadequate |
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Ladysmith Chronicle
By Edward Hill
May 09 2006
Despite nudging Catalyst Paper’s pollution limits toward greener
pastures, the Crofton Airshed Citizens Group says the mill’s operating
permit doesn’t go far enough.
The Ministry of Environment is close to finishing the mill’s new
permit, but the CACG is calling for stricter controls on a long list of
pollutants, and for clauses that insure continuous environmental
upgrades.
“This permit is one step toward what it should be. Overall it is
insufficient to cover all the bases,” Rob Wiltzen, a member of the CACG
and the mill’s community advisory forum, said at an advisory forum
meeting last week. “I remain to be convinced the permit is actually
achieving reductions it claims.”
The Ministry of Environment has put the squeeze on the pulp mill,
lowering its allowable emissions of sulphur compounds like hydrogen
sulphide, and writing in limits on furans and dioxins.
Wiltzen pushed for further specific limits on heavy metals, boiler
sludge and a raft of noxious compounds. He said other pulp mill permits
in B.C. denote “forward looking” commitments to reduce pollutant output.
Wiltzen argued that there is no guarantee watchdog groups like the CACG
or the community advisory forum (CAF) will be in place for the life of
the mill, making forward-looking clauses vital to the permit.
“There are no reference points in the permit to refine pollutant
levels,” Wiltzen said. “Why should calling for further improvements
just be left up to [the CACG]?”
Bernard Bintner, the ministry officer rewriting the permit, argued
against imposing heavy-handed regulations, reiterating the argument
that the limits on particulate matter capture virtually all toxic
chemicals.
Bintner said he is eager to get a permit in place that reflects the
current state of technology at the mill. He calls the existing permit
“unenforceable” and puts the Crofton Catalyst mill in legal limbo.
“The company doesn’t know where it stands legally the permit is so old.
And the public deserves a good permit to know where the company
stands,” he said.
Bintner said the upcoming pollution prevention program, through
Catalyst’s advisory forum, will reduce waste and identify pollutants at
the “front end” of the pulp- and paper-making process.
“There are diminishing returns with regulation. The time is right to
look elsewhere for gains,” Bintner said. “When we start seeing
improvements on the pollution prevention side, we can go back to the
permit with fresh eyes.”
The CACG fears seeking pollution reductions through the advisory forum
will be slow and drawn out, noting that the group meets every two
months and has seen shrinking attendance.
“I see the best intentions from Bernard (Bintner) and the mill, but it
will be a protracted process to see results. It will be at least
another year gone by,” Wiltzen said.
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