Eleven Environment Canada investigation officers, with an OPP escort to exercise a search warrant, unexpectedly appeared at the Abitibi-Consolidated mill here last Wednesday to search for—and seize—documentation they felt was relevant to an incident that had occurred May 7, 2001.
The specific incident involved a break in the kraft mill effluent line, just north of the paper mill’s woodroom clarifier.
During that incident, although mill operations were shut down immediately, some effluent did leak into the Rainy River.
A streak of foam was visible for several kilometres west of the dam here after the pipe—which pumps waste water at a rate of 500 gallons a minute—leaked for roughly three-and-a-half hours.
There was no noticeable impact on the river as the flows were high at the time.
All environmental agencies were notified of the leak immediately and an internal investigation was conducted at that time.
The inspectors arrived at 9 a.m. last Wednesday and left by 6 p.m. They received full co-operation from mill personnel, said mill general manager John Harrison, who added the visit was unexpected.
Environment Canada could not be reached for comment before press time.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
