The Northern Pulp mill in Abercrombie Point, N.S., is viewed from Pictou, N.S., December 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX – The company behind a beleaguered mill in northern Nova Scotia is proposing a “complete transformation” of its operations in an effort to reopen the idled kraft pulp plant, a plan that was quickly rebuked by local leaders and environmental advocates. Mill owner Paper Excellence said its $350-million transformation plan would slash water use, reduce wastewater components, lower visible plumes from the mill’s stacks and remove detectable odours during normal operations. Yet despite added steps to treat wastewater, the plan to restart the mill continues to involve discharging treated effluent from the Northern Pulp mill into Pictou harbour.