FW: Norske Skog salt dumping [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Maria Riedl]

 

 

From: Randell, Trish [mailto:Trish....@environment.gov.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 23 December 2009 11:45 AM
To: maria...@internode.on.net
Cc: Klaver, Jan
Subject: Norske Skog salt dumping [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

 

Dear Maria

I think that you have previously spoken to Alexandra Simpson from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in relation to the proposal by Norske Skog to dump (saline) treated process water into the Murray River at Albury and to offset it with salt removal further downstream. Alex is currently on maternity leave so I am writing to update you on the Department's findings in relation to the proposal.

As you would be aware, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) protects matters of national environmental significance including wetlands of international importance (Ramsar wetlands), nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities, and listed migratory species, among others. The Australian Government’s involvement in any activity or new development is confined only to those with potentially significant impacts on the matters of national environmental significance. Matters of national environmental significance which are potentially affected by the Norske-Skog proposal include listed fish species and Ramsar wetlands, although the latter are some distance downstream (and past the site of the offset proposal).

The Department was able to access the Statement of Environmental Effects from the company's website and Norske Skog provided technical information relative to impacts on protected fish species. Based on this information the Department has concluded that significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance are not considered likely and will not be pursuing referral under the EPBC Act.

Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention. Please feel free to phone me if you would like to discuss further.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Trish

Trish Randell
Assistant Director | Compliance 2 Section
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601
Ph (02) 6275 9295 | Fax (02) 6274 1878
trish....@environment.gov.au

 

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