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.

• TERMS OF REFERENCE APPROVED

  Argentia Nickel Smelter and Refinery
  (Proponent: Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited)

The minister has decided that the draft Terms of Reference (TOR) as amended are satisfactory and approved as the TOR for the environmental impact statement for this undertaking. The draft TOR were also subject to review under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The lead regulatory authority, Public Works and Government Services Canada, has granted conditional approval to the TOR.

• MINISTER'S GUIDELINES ISSUED:

  Gisborne Lake Water Export Facility #2 Proposal
  (Proponent: McCurdy Group of Companies)

The minister has provided the proponent with the guidelines for the TOR for the environmental impact statement for this undertaking. The proponent is required to prepare the TOR which will be made available for public and government review prior to Ministerial approval. Anyone wishing to be placed on the public mailing list for this project may do so by contacting the Chairperson, Mr. Carl Strong, at 729-0834.

• 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.

• - Monkstown to South East Bight Transmission Line
  - Benton Constructed Wetland Tertiary Treatment of Wastewater
  - Crown Land Forest Management District 1 (Avalon Peninsula)
  - Bloomfield Sawmill Expansion
  - Northern Arm Christmas Tree Farm
  

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 the following numbers: (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 4J6B
  

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