In Marathon, a dispute continues over how to deal with an estimated 1.5-million litres of industrial chemicals at the dormant Marathon Pulp Mill.
Former Mill operator Tembec is now appealing the approval process of the environmental clean-up order. The order, issued on Dec. 17, deals with winter contingency plans for the onsite storage of the black liquors.
In December, a break in a pipeline caused a chemical spill, prompting a road blockade by Pic River First Nation and Marathon residents. The protest halted Tembec's plans to transfer the chemicals to a spill basin located about four kilometres outside Marathon.
MOE spokesperson Lisa Brygidyr says Tembec is appealing the requirement to seek direct approval from Marathon and Pic River regarding operation specifics. The company says that job is the responsibility of the ministry.
One area of contention is how to discharge and store chemicals remaining in the pipeline.
Brygidyr says some of the chemicals have since been trucked to AbibitiBowater in Fort Frances.
There is no word yet regarding Tembec's appeal.
