In Marathon, the former owner of the bankrupt Marathon Pulp mill, Tembec, was ordered to clean up the chemicals left in the mill.

The order, issued on Dec. 17, deals with winter contingency plans for the on-site storage of the black liquors.

Tembec began to clean up the chemicals in December, but the pipeline being used to remove the chemicals had a break causing 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.

Tembec is now appealing the approval process of the environmental clean-up order.

Ontario Ministry of the Environment 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.

Source: Tembec chemical dispute continues (TbNewsWatch)