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 may 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.

• ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:
  Silver Mountain (Upper Humber) Hydroelectric Project

The minister has appointed an Environmental Assessment Committee pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section 22 of The Environmental Assessment Act, RSN 1990, c. E-14 to advise him on scientific and technical matters related to the proposed Silver Mountain (Upper Humber) Hydroelectric Project and to prepare technical and scientific reports. The committee will be represented by the following provincial and federal agencies:

• Water Resources Division - Environment and Labour
  Impact Management Section - Environment and Labour
  Wildlife Division - Forest Resources and Agrifoods
  Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
  Energy Branch - Mines and Energy
  Department of Industry, Trade and Technology
  Department of Development and Rural Renewal
  Canadian Coast Guard - Fisheries and Oceans
  Habitat Management - Fisheries and Oceans
  Environment Canada - Canadian Wildlife Service
  Heritage Canada (Gros Morne National Park)

The chairperson, in consultation with the committee, will prepare guidelines to be issued to the proponent for the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the EIS.

• 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 public. The undertakings are released subject to other regulatory and permitting requirements.

• - Pine Cove (Baie Verte) Gold Mine (Resubmission)

  - Baie Verte Tannery

  - Baie Verte Marine Oil Purification Plant

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

Environmental Assessment news releases are on the Internet at //www.gov.nl.ca/envlab/env_news.htm.