Environment Canada agents raid N.B. pulp and paper mill

Federal environment officials raided a New Brunswick pulp and paper facility this week on the hunt for documents related to the release of a harmful substance into the Saint John River last fall.

Up to three dozen agents with Environment Canadaentered the Irving Pulp and Paper Limited mill Wednesday,said Mark Mosher, vice-president of the mill's parent company, J.D. Irving. Some of those agents were carrying weapons, he said.

"[They] show up at work and have 35 officers in flak jackets some were armed to basically take over the office complex," he said.

"They disallowed everyone from going to their place of employment, secured the office, our computers. It was intimidating, and we think it was a strong show of force for an accidental release."

In a written statement e-mailed to CBC News Thursday night, Environment Canada said the search warrants were executed at the Saint John facility and related company offices.

Agents from the Environmental Enforcement Divisionwerein search ofevidenceregarding the alleged release on Oct. 31, 2007, of "green liquor," a bi-product of the pulp and paper process that is harmful to fish.

"The Environmental Enforcement Division in the Atlantic Region will analyze any information gathered during this search to determine if there was a release of green liquor by Irving Pulp and Paper into the Saint John River and the company's role in the alleged release of the substance," the statement read.

Mosher acknowledged that a spill of green liquor occurred last October while staff were converting existing equipment into more environmentally friendly technology.

He said the company has already voluntarily reported the incident and would have willingly provided any documentation Environment Canada was looking for.

An estimated 55,000 litres of green liquor leaked from a holding tank at the Irving mill in Saint John in March 1998. It ran into a storm drain, then into the reversing falls.

While the company originally pleaded not guilty to a charge of polluting under the Fisheries Act, it ultimately took responsibility for the spill and agreed to pay a $50,000 fine.