FORT ELLIS, N.S. – A protest organizer says Mi’kmaq and local residents are continuing a sit-in this morning at the entrance of a construction site near proposed natural gas storage caverns in Nova Scotia.
But Cheryl Maloney says that security workers and their food are being allowed in and out of the Alton Gas riverside construction site in Fort Ellis.
On Monday, a small group of aboriginal protesters set up a chairs, tables and a canopy at the front entrance of the site about 12 kilometres from the proposed storage caverns.
The protesters say the company’s plan to pipe water from the Shubenacadie River to underground salt caverns, and then discharge salty water back into the river, poses environmental risks.
In a statement released to the media, Premier Stephen McNeil said he was limited to what he could say because of legal proceedings related to opposition to the project.
He said he’s confident that the Crown has met its obligation to consult with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia and others on this project.
McNeil said Nova Scotians should be aware that the project by AltaGas (TSX:ALA) only received approval after years of consultation and environmental review.