HALIFAX - The premier of Nova Scotia is rejecting the federal government's claim that a bulk carrier that ran aground off the coast of Cape Breton is not an environmental hazard.
Darrell Dexter, in a terse response to a statement issued today from Transport Canada and the coast guard, says it appears the two agencies are walking away from the wreck of the MV Miner.
Dexter says that's not acceptable.
The 230-metre ship was under tow to a Turkish scrapyard on Sept. 20 when it broke free in rough seas and ran aground on Scatarie Island, a provincial wilderness area.
Transport Canada and the coast guard say they have both fulfilled their commitments and concluded there is no pollution coming from a ship and it does not pose a risk to navigation.
Dexter says he's been unable reach federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield for the past two days, and he wants to make sure the wreck is removed from the island -- even if it has to be torn apart.
