The provincial government has no plans to change a decision regarding a controversial marine project in Conception Bay South despite recommendations from a public watchdog to do so.

Ocean Choice International’s proposal for a cold storage facility at Long Pond Harbour has been approved by the town, with conditions. People concerned about the development, especially plans to infill a section of the harbour, wished to have an environmental assessment but government decided such a process was unnecessary. One person appealed to ombudsman Bradley Moss, who agreed with them. He concluded that government voilated its own Act by not ordering an environmental assessment.

The minister responsible, Bernard Davis, says full due dilligence was taken in determining whether or not an environmental assessment was required, and notes that the ombudsman’s decisions are not binding.

The NDP critic for the environment, Jim Dinn, says it’s not the first time that government has refused to do an environmental assessment when it should have.