Englee Fish Plant Operator Ordered to Clean Up Abandoned Plant

Service NL has served a Ministerial Order under the Environmental Protection Act to Sea Treat Limited, owner of the abandoned fish plant in Englee. The order requires clean up and remediation of the plant site within 90 days.

“We have conducted a number of inspections of the plant in Englee to assess the environmental issues involved,” said the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL. “The order to have the site cleaned up and the area remediated was prepared earlier this month and, after a number of attempts to serve the order, it was successfully served on Monday, March 26, 2012.”

Under section 99 of the Environmental Protection Act, where a contravention of the act has occurred, government can order that all necessary steps are taken to control, manage, or eliminate any environmental hazards.

In the case of the Englee plant, the Ministerial Order requires Sea Treat Limited to demolish and remove the dilapidated plant, clean the immediate area and submit a report to Service NL outlining the work being undertaken. Sea Treat has 90 days to complete the site remediation.

“Environmental responsibility is a very serious matter for our government, and we will continue to ensure that any company or business operating in our province owns up to that responsibility,” said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Environment and Conservation. “Orders are issued when owners fail to fulfill their duty to maintain their property in an environmentally sustainable manner, as is the case in this particular situation.”

Service NL officers have delegated authority to serve these orders under the Environmental Protection Act.

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2012 03 28             4:50 p.m.