Concerns are growing from the Lorneville community over the environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval for the Spruce Lake Industrial Park expansion.
The Department of Environment issued a certificate of determination on Wednesday, approving the assessment with more than 20 conditions.
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Members of the Save Lorneville group argue that the process overlooked significant environmental risks identified in assessments conducted by residents.
“There’s no real protection for the old-growth forest that was discovered,” said Adam Wilkins, a volunteer with the group. “The EIA didn’t reflect the environmental concerns raised by the community.”
Wilkins said the assessment, conducted by Dillon Consulting, felt rushed and incomplete.
Residents submitted questions and feedback to the technical review committee, but many felt their concerns were not addressed.
Among the group’s findings was a rare peatland feature known as a bouncy bog, which Wilkins said takes thousands of years to form.
The community also worked with Dr. Ben Phillips, a forest ecologist at Mount Allison University, to verify the presence of red spruce trees more than 400 years old.
Wilkins said none of these discoveries were mentioned in the final conditions.
He added that one resident identified 1.75 kilometres of wetlands and watercourses that were missed in the official assessment as well.
“If regular citizens are finding these things, what does that say about the company hired to do the work?” Wilkins said.
The group is also concerned about the long-term impact on groundwater, increased noise and light pollution, and the loss of natural buffers between residential areas and the industrial park.
Wilkins pointed to the recent approval of a metal shredder at a nearby recycling facility, which has already increased noise levels in the area.
“If you remove the forest buffer, it’s only going to get louder,” he said. “Whatever new buildings go in, it’s not going to be good for anyone living nearby.”
Wilkins described the 14-month consultation process as frustrating and one-sided. He said residents received late notices, vague responses, and limited access to officials.
Wilkins also added that the Minister of Environment recused himself from the file due to a conflict of interest, as he also oversees the department promoting the project.
“There was no meaningful engagement,” Wilkins said. “If things were going to go this way, there should have been transparency from the start.”
He said a better version of the project would start with honest discussion and clear answers, even if not everyone agrees with the outcome.
He also called for stronger environmental buffers and more specific protections tailored to the types of industries that may be built.
“If this is the third-oldest forest in New Brunswick, that’s not nothing,” Wilkins said. “That should be assessed properly.”
Wilkins said the community has contributed to the city in many ways, including maintaining hiking trails used by residents and visitors.
He said the lack of engagement from officials has left many feeling ignored.
“There are real people with families who live here,” he said. “If this can’t be stopped, how can the community at least be supported?”
Save Lorneville is calling for a full ecosystem survey and clearer conditions before any development begins.
