HALIFAX - The federal government says a bulk carrier that ran aground off the coast of Cape Breton three weeks ago does not pose an environmental hazard, effectively shrugging off concerns raised by Nova Scotia's premier.

The empty 230-metre ship, MV Miner, was under tow to a Turkish scrapyard on Sept. 20 when the line attached to a tugboat snapped in rough seas. Several attempts to pull it from the rocky shore of Scatarie Island have failed, and the ship's stern now appears to be badly damaged.

Premier Darrell Dexter said Tuesday that the ship still poses a threat to local fishing grounds and the island -- a provincially designated wildlife management area -- even though all of the fuel, oil and lubricants aboard have been removed.

However, a joint statement issued Wednesday from Transport Canada and the coast guard said both agencies have fulfilled their commitments, having concluded there is no pollution coming from a ship that does not pose a risk to navigation.

There is no indication in the statement what the federal government intends to do with the wreck.

Last week, the provincial government filed a statement of claim in Federal Court accusing the tug's owners of negligence. The claim says the cost of salvage and cleanup if the ship breaks up could hit $24 million.

The claims have yet to be proven in court and the tug's owners -- Pellas Shipping Co. and Interport Marine Inc. of Greece -- have yet to file a statement of defence.

Dexter has said his officials have been talking to the coast guard and Transport Canada, but neither agency has committed to offering any direction, even though the matter is within federal jurisdiction.

He said Tuesday he was worried about the ship because it is probably coated in lead paint and contains electronic gear that could contaminate the surrounding water.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for the premier said he was pleased Transport Canada and the coast guard have outlined their responsibilities and will continue to investigate and monitor the matter.

"The premier's objective is to ensure the vessel is removed, and he will continue to work with his colleagues at the federal level to make that happen," Jennifer Stewart said in an email.

The email made no mention of the environment.

Transport Canada confirmed it is investigating to ensure the tug company has complied with the Canadian Shipping Act.

"If the tug operator is found in non-compliance of the regulations, fines could be imposed," the statement said.

Transport Minister Denis Lebel said his department has responded to all areas within its authority.

"We have fulfilled our duties and have worked in close collaboration with our federal partners and will continue to be engaged as necessary," the statement said.

Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield, whose portfolio includes overseeing the coast guard, said his department has also met its commitment to protecting the marine environment.

More than 10,000 litres of marine diesel oil, lubricants and oily waste having been removed from the vessel.

"I am pleased that the Canadian Coast Guard fulfilled its responsibility in this matter quickly and as efficiently as possible," Ashfield said in the statement.

"As a result, there is no further evidence of oil pollution from the MV Miner on Scatarie Island."

Mark Butler, a policy director with the Ecology Action Centre, said he was concerned about the potential for long-term environmental harm to the area around the ship.

"This isn't going to create an environmental catastrophe, but in the local area there might be contamination from the vessel," Butler said.

On Saturday, coast guard crews reported seeing some "minor sheening" at the stern of the wreck, indicating a spill of some kind from the engine room.

A boom was placed inside the wreck to contain the spill and the sheen outside eventually dissipated, the coast guard said.