HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia government says it has received three appeals on a permit it issued for a pulp mill in Pictou County.
The province issued a new five-year industrial approval for Northern Pulp's mill in January, introducing tighter restrictions on emissions and water consumption.
The Department of Environment says by Thursday's deadline, it received appeals from Northern Pulp, Pictou Landing First Nation and a community group, Clean the Pictou Air.
Mill manager Bruce Chapman has said the new permit is unacceptable and it threatens the long-term viability of the mill.
The company has said implementing the new rules could cost Northern Pulp about $90 million.
Environment Minister Randy Delorey says he now has 60 days to consider the appeals and to make a decision.
He said Friday he hasn't had a chance to look at the appeals, which were submitted just before the deadline.
Delorey also said that as far as he knows, Northern Pulp is on track to install anti-pollution equipment by a May 30 deadline included in a government order.
He said if the deadline isn't met the government could suspend or cancel its industrial approval.
