FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government will issue an amendment to the Class 1 air quality approval for J.D. Irving Chipman Sawmill.

The amended approval will take effect on Aug. 1 and follows a public review which ran until May 31.

The softwood sawmill produces about 230 million board-feet of dimensional lumber per year. Currently, the facility operates a sawmill and a dry kiln, and employs 175 people.

The sawmill will be adding a saw line to produce additional lumber. This will involve an extension to the existing hot pond, building extensions, an additional debarker, log-sorting decks and bins, new handling equipment and a saw line.

The information, along with the amended approval, can be viewed on the Department of Environment and Local Government website or at any regional office of the department.

Class 1 major industries are required to comply with the Air Quality Regulation under the Clean Air Act, and to operate under the terms and conditions established in the approval to operate.