Environment and Labour Minister Kevin Aylward has announced the following events relative to the Environmental Assessment Act. In the case of documents received or approved, copies can be obtained by contacting the regional office of the Department of Environment and Labour or by calling toll-free 1-800-563-6181. Comments on submitted documents are invited from the public, addressed in writing to the minister, and are welcome prior to the deadline date following each item.

NEW UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Nipper's Harbour Farm Access Road
Proponent: Mr. Herman Morey

The proponent proposes to construct a 1.5 kilometre access road to his farmland. The road will be an extension to an existing forest access road and will terminate at Nipper's Harbour. Road construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. The proposal was registered on September 18, 1996 and the minister's decision is due on November 1, 1996.

Vern Lake (Labrador West) Land Reclamation Project
Proponent: Wabush Mines

The proponent proposes to infill Vern Lake in order to increase the capacity of dumps for overburden, to reduce costs associated with haulage and the cost associated with mine dewatering. The Vern Lake area (26 hectares) will hold approximately 28.4 metric tons of overburden when filled to an elevation of 2,000 feet. The area affected by the undertaking will be limited to the immediate vicinity of Vern Lake, all of which is currently affected by mining activity and overburden dumping. The infilling is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. The proposal was registered on September 30, 1996 and the minister's decision is due November 11, 1996.

The public is invited to examine these registration documents and offer written comment to the minister on whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be ordered. The deadline for the receipt of public comments is October 31, 1996.

NO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REQUIRED

The minister has decided that an environmental impact statement is not required for the following undertakings which have recently been registered and examined by government and the public. The undertakings are released subject to other regulatory and permitting requirements.

• Clovelly Trails Golf Course
• Hawkes Bay Area Forest District 17
• Upper Humber Adventure Tourism Cabins
• Baie Verte Stog'er Tight Gold Mine

A guide to the Environmental Assessment Process is available from the Department of Environment and Labour. The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Environmental Assessment at (709) 729-2562 or toll-free: 1-800-563- 6181 or by mail to:

• Director, Environmental Assessment Division
  Department of Environment and Labour
  West Block, Confederation Building
  P.O. Box 8700
  St. John's, NF
  A1B 4J6