The Minister of Environment for the Province stated , "During the EA review, concerns were raised regarding the potential impacts of the Project on: fish and fish habitat, facility design, water resources, air quality, noise, flora and fauna, human health, archaeology, and Mi'kmaq land uses. These concerns were raised through public and Mi'kmaq submissions, as well as submissions by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Nova Scotia Environment, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Department of Lands and Forestry, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage, and so on."

 A list of key information gaps are outlined below:

1. Lacks characterization details of wastewater to inform potential contaminants of concern

2. Alternative to the overland pipeline route needed given Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal does not permit the pipeline be placed in the shoulder of Highway 106

3.  Lacks marine geotechnical survey to understand the potential impacts of ice formation on the pipeline in the winter, and to confirm marine portion of the pipeline route 

4.  Lacks information and data to confirm efficacy of treatment technology

5.  Lacks effluent flow data to support the proposed peak treatment capacity of 85,000 m3 maximum flow of effluent per day

6.  Lacks information to assess size and design of spill basin

7.  Lacks details for pipeline leak detection and trench lining methodologies 

8.   Lacks baseline surveys for marine and freshwater fish and fish habitat

9.   Lacks baseline surveys for marine water quality and sediment quality

10. Clarification and updates needed regarding the receiving water study for Caribou Harbour

11.  Lacks details of assessment and mitigation regarding potential impacts on fish and fish habitat

12.  Lacks baseline surveys for other flora and fauna such as plants and birds

13.  Lacks wetland baseline surveys along the pipeline route

14.  Lacks monitoring methodologies for sensitive areas at risk of pipeline leaks, such as Town of Pictou drinking water supply protection area, below water table, wetlands, and watercourse crossings, and others

15.  Lacks full inventory of air contaminants

16.  Inadequate air dispersion modelling submitted on Human health

17.  Lacks adequate assessment on potential impacts on human health 

18.  Lacks archaeological resource risk assessment for the marine environment

19.  Lacks Mi'kmaq ecological knowledge study


https://novascotia.ca/nse/ea/Replacement_Effluent_Treatment_Facility_Project/Decision.pdf