Louisiana Pacific Canada Ltd. has apparently had a change of heart. Initially, the company refused to allow an inspection of its wood products plant in the Swan Valley of western Manitoba by outside experts. But after a request from the Clean Environment Commission CEC, (an advisory body to the provincial government, it has agreed.

But only with strict conditions attached.

* LP must be given 5 business days advance notice.

* All those taking part must identify themselves with valid IDs in advance.

* The tour must be limited to six people.

* No photographs or recordings will be allowed.

* Participants must undergo a safety orientation.

* They must sign a waiver in order to get into the plant's production areas.

* The company will not answer any technical questions because "all pertinent technical information is already on the public record."

LP agreed after the Clean Environment Commission supported the request for the outside inspection from two citizens' groups; Concerned Citizens of the Valley and the Boreal Forest Network.

The company also agreed the CEC could provide what it calls "a third-party" observer on the tour. The CEC has stated in an email that it finds the company's approach "reasonable."

Despite all of this, Dan Soprovich of "Concerned Citizens" says it's all academic, anyway. One of their experts came all the way from the southern 'States over a week ago, only to be turned back at the plant entrance.

He says the company photographed him, but wouldn't let him in! He adds he simply doesn't know whether that individual will be available again any time soon.

So it's still not clear whether there will actually be a tour, or not.

LP's attempts to decommission its pollution controls have sparked a controversy over air quality in the Swan Valley. It culminated in public meetings before the CEC in late July.

The Commission has yet to rule on LP's application to make the shutdowns permanent.

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Please also read - U.S.-Based Logging Corporation Refuses an Outside Inspection of its Manitoba Wood Plant Environmentalists Cry Foul, below.

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- by Larry Powell

Louisiana Pacific Canada Limited operates an "Oriented Strand Board" plant in the Swan Valley of western Manitoba. It's been at odds with critics ever since the provincial government allowed it to shut down its pollution control equipment last January.

Following an uproar from community members and environmentalists, the government instructed an advisory committee, the Clean Environment Commission (CEC), to review that decision.

It conducted public meetings earlier this summer in Swan River. Participants argued for and against LP's application to make the shutdown permanent. Then, two groups critical of LP's proposal, joined forces. "Concerned Citizens of the Valley" and "The Boreal Forest Network" tried to arrange for scientific experts to tour the plant.

They argued this was the only way for them to fully take part in the process, since the format of the public meetings did not permit them to cross-examine LP's witnesses. The groups described one of the experts they hoped would tour the plant as a specialist in "human health risk assessment," another as an "expert in the environmental regulation of forestry operations" in Canada.

Despite their insistence that the individuals have PhDs with extensive experience, LP refused.

The company said it had already co-operated fully with the committee and saw no need to allow further tours or inspections.

But Dan Soprovich of "Concerned Citizens" doesn't see it that way. He suggests LP has refused the request simply because it has something to hide.

LP has threatened to close the plant if it is forced to start up the pollution controls once again.

Meanwhile, the people of the Swan Valley are anxiously awaiting the recommendations of the CEC.

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Please also read "Battle in the Boreal - Rekindling the Air Quality Debate." (Previous Post)