A First Nation group is appealing construction work at the Alton Natural Gas storage facility near Stewiacke, N.S., in Supreme Court.
The company says construction in the coming weeks will involve breaching the Suhbenacadie riverbank.
“Until the courts and this process runs its course, I think Alton should just back off, leave the bank intact,” said Cheryl Maloney, activist and band councillor for Sipeknekatik First Nation.
The band is opposing any work at the Alton site until its Supreme Court appeal is heard next month.
AltaGas says the band has a right to appeal, but the work doesn't impact the court case.
“The community has expressed some concerns. What is not happening at the site is brining,” said Lori MacLean, spokesperson for AltaGas .
Brining is how the company creates salt storage caverns. Water from the river will be used to dissolve part of an underground salt deposit, creating a storage area for natural gas. The resulting brine will be released into the Shubenacadie River.
Activists worry about the impact that will have.
The project was given approvals by Nova Scotia’s Department of Energy back in January, but was put on hold after six appeals were filed with the Department of Environment. All six appeals have been rejected.
“It doesn't matter what kind of energy it is, there’s a lot of passion behind them. Natural gas is a good fuel, it's a clean fuel,” said MacLean.
The project is intended to save natural gas customers about $17 million a year. But those opposed to brining say it puts a critical fish habitat in harm's way.
And for Mikmaq activists, that threatens treaty rights.
“I think if things aren't done properly and the environment and species are at risk, that Nova Scotians will stand up and speak up,” said Maloney.
Maloney says there are no protests planned so far, but she doesn't think people will allow the company to breach the riverbank.
The appeal will be heard in mid-August in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.
