Dear Editor,
The presentation held in June by the Bureau d’audiences publique sur l’environnement (BAPE) about Samonix’s proposed land-based salmon farm in Litchfield was helpful but inadequate. Questions were limited and some answers were either incomplete or dismissed.
Several citizens have since made a request to Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment to have these concerns addressed through BAPE, which is responsible for investigating the validity of our environmental questions and considering the public opinion of the project. These findings will be attached to the completed file forwarded to the environment ministry. The environment minister Pascale Déry has mandated the BAPE to hold public hearings on the project. To continue to be a part of the process, several people have gathered as the “Samonix Community Engagement Group.” Our goal is to ensure the safe condition of the water we drink and to preserve the ecology of aquatic life and the surrounding environment.
Our concerns include:
– The plan to draw large quantities of water from the river (on average 2,300 m³/ day): most of it will be recirculated through a filter system before being fed back into the river as treated effluent. We believe measuring effluent levels several meters beyond the actual release point could be misleading.
– Effluent treatment plans: they appear to be based on very limited data on river current and levels at the site together with a computer model. We are worried there is little consideration of downriver impact or the unique nature of our location. Site-specific research, sampling and testing in all weather conditions over time is critical and the normative practice for a project of this scope.
– Power failure/system failure/emergency plans: how will a break/leak in the infrastructure be managed? What emergency backup system will be implemented to offset the effect of a release of unprocessed salty effluent on downriver drinking water systems? Will there be a warning system to alert those downriver in a timely manner?
– Waste material management back up plan: the semi-solid waste is to be removed from the Pontiac by truck regularly to be processed elsewhere. What is the storage capacity and plan if the receiving company cannot fulfill the needs of Samonix due to system capacity, labour dispute shut downs or other factors?
Additional questions requiring complex answers were dismissed with assurances that Samonix’s system is failure proof. This may have been due to time restrictions and the energy and care necessary to respond in both languages. We look forward to continuing dialogue through the upcoming BAPE hearing beginning Aug. 24. Community involvement is essential as the project impacts all of Pontiac in terms of possible prosperity and potential problems, which we have all experienced. Let’s not repeat previous mistakes by overlooking careful analysis. The Samonix Community Engagement group can be reached at sce.pontiac@gmail.com .
Cathy Fox, Portage-du-Fort
Sylvia Poetschke, Portage-du-Fort