Province approves Alton project near Stewiacke, some First Nations groups upset

HALIFAX – The next phase of a new underground natural gas storage facility near Stewiacke, N.S., has been approved by the provincial government after being re-assesed because of concerns from the local native community.

Energy Minister Michel Samson announced on Thursday that permits for Phase 1 of the project had been granted after a “thorough scientific assessment,” as well as consultation with various first nations groups which led to amendments to the plan.

The proposed project came off the rails in 2014 when Mi’kmaq protesters argued that Alton Natural Gas Storage, the company behind the plan, had failed to consult with them about the possible impact on the Shubenacadie River.

Phase 1 would see Alton dig three salt caverns about 1,000 metres underground at the site in Colchester County, which the province believes is safe and won’t have a significant impact on the environment or wildlife in the river.

Samson noted changes to the project, which include an improved monitoring program, extended annual shutdown to allow for spawning of the striped bass and the requirement for the company to create a community liason committee along with a Mi’kmaq engagement plan for the ongoing monitoring of the area.

He said the project has received support of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs and the KMK negotiations office, but not officially from the Sipeknekatik, Millbrook or Indian Brook bands, which have wanted to hold community referendums on the issue.

Samson said the province’s “duty to consult” is something the government takes very seriously, but after 18 months of discussions and substantial amendments to the plans, he was satisfied with the level of consultation on the file.

“The duty to consult does not include a veto option for First Nations,” Samson said.

“We have a process that is in place in Nova Scotia, which has worked very well on numerous other projects,” he said, also pointing to the changes made to the plan as proof that the process works.

He said a deadline was set for Jan. 18 so any more issues could be brought forward on the project and it passed with no new information.

The salt caverns would be flooded with water from the Shubenacadie River before brine is then pumped back in to the river, which the government said would be actively monitored based on the company’s monitoring requirements.

The next phase of the project would require an operating permit and the approval to construct surface level buildings, which would need to be held to the current CSC standards for such facilities. Separate approval for a pipeline on the site would also be required.

Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs gives cautious go-ahead, some not happy

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs released a statement after the announcement, that said through their consultations with the government, major changes to aspects of the project design and operation were made.

“One major example being the mandatory operational shutdown during spawning seasons to eliminate risks to all fish species,” the statement reads.

“There are serious concerns with this project,” Chief Paul Prosper, Lead Chief of the Assembly’s Energy Portfolio said in the statement.

“Before any decisions were made by the Province, we wanted to be sure that these concerns were heard and addressed.”

Prosper said constant monitoring during operations at the site will still be needed to ensure the area is safe.

“Some risks can only be evaluated in operation and our continued monitoring program will be there to do just that.”

The Assembly said “many community members still are not comfortable with this project,” and asked Alton to reach out to nearby Mi’kmaq communities.

Some bands upset, Sipekne’katik formally withdraws from assembly

One of those groups is the Sipekne’katik, who passed a motion to withdraw its membership from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs because of the decision.

A news release from the band’s Chief, Rufus Copage, said they sent a letter to the province on Jan. 12, asking for time to conduct a referendum within the community on the issue before a decision is made, as well as extensive meetings with provincial and AltaGas officials.

“This leaves us in a difficult place, as it leaves no opportunity for grassroots membership to have a voice when their rights and title are at risk,” the release said.

“Once the referendum is complete, the Province of Nova Scotia will be notified of the results.”

In the meantime the band will create its own consultation process made up of the Sipekne’katik membership.

The band took part in the consultation process as an observer though the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs, mainly because of issues with the process itself.

One of the issues is the consultation process, which the band feels can never reject a project no matter what the concerns.

“Consultation is not truly consultation after a decision has been previously made. It is information and notification only after a project is approved.”

Millbrook and Indian Brook spokeswoman says protests likely

“I’m very disappointed,” said Cheryl Maloney, spokesperson for the Millbrook and Indian Brook First Nations.

Their issues are with the salt brine being pumped in to the river, which they fear will destroy the striped bass population forever, as the Shubenacadie is the last spawning area for the fish.

When asked whether the proposed monitoring systems and alterations to the plans were enough to address environmental concerns, Maloney said there’s no way of knowing how the project will effect the river until it begins, which would be, in effect, too late.

Maloney said they’ve had a back and forth with the province about establishing their own consultation team with experts, to help members understand the issue, citing different education levels.

The band proposed a team at a cost $90,000, she said, but the province offered $30,000 according to Maloney.

“The province has been stringing us along,” she said. “They pulled the rug out from under us.”

She said the bands want time to help their people understand the project and it’s ramifications, which takes extra time based on the thick language in the texts.

Maloney said once an understanding process can happen, they can then put it to a referendum for a vote, but added she expects the bands to be vocal in the meantime.

“We’re working with a group of protesters and they’re not just First Nations, they’re Nova Scotians,” she said.

“We’re not going to take this sitting down.We’ll test it in the court and with Nova Scotians.“

Maloney also took issue with Minister Samson’s statement the process in place to address such concerns in Nova Scotia didn’t come with a veto for First Nation’s.

“We’re not asserting that right now, but we do have a fiduciary obligation to our
People as a band government and as a Mi’kmaq government to make sure our people are engaged and consulted and have a say.”

“An engagement process will give them a say.”

Resident also opposed

Art Redden heads the Striped Bass Association and was on hand for Samson’s announcement Thursday morning.

He said he’s opposed to the plan because of the potential environmental impacts on the river he’s lived on for 37 years.

“It’s another case of the fox guarding the henhouse,” Redden said of the monitoring systems the province oversees for such projects, which he said also contains no recourse if something goes wrong.

“I don’t trust them.”

He said issues with similar projects in the Annapolis River and Boat Harbour leads him not to trust the government when it comes to taking care of the environment.

Redden likened the amount of salt that will be put in to the river as equivalent to 50 truck loads of salt, every day, for three years.

Keep it Factual

Add CityNews Halifax as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.