A dispute has erupted over who is responsible for the investigation of possible mercury contamination at the Dryden Mill site.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change says a Director’s Order under the Environmental Protection Act is being proposed to require Domtar to prepare and implement a detailed assessment to determine if the Dryden mill site is an ongoing source of mercury.
A Ministry Spokesperson told CKDR News that the order would require the installation of monitoring wells, an analysis of groundwater and soil samples and a geophysical survey of the site.
The proposed order would also require Domtar to produce progress and final reports and make them readily available to First Nations and members of the public who may be affected by a discharge of mercury from the site.
Domtar is firing back telling CKDR News the provincial government has consistently recognized that Domtar has never used mercury on the Dryden mill property and the legacy of mercury use at the current site dates back more than 40-years before Domtar purchased the mill.
The statement reads Domtar encourages the government to provide the leadership it promised and reconsider its decision to issue a proposed order that risks delaying and distracting from the important work of addressing mercury contaminated sediment in the river.
The company adds it’s disappointed with the potential order that seeks the company to undertake activities that are the responsibility of the Province of Ontario.
The statement says Domtar is left with no choice but to appeal and seek a stay of order, noting it will take legal action against the government to compel it to honour its commitments.