March 26, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment and Labour Minister Oliver Langdon 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 shown for each item.

NEW UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Long Harbour Peat Quarry
Proponent: Eastern Demolition & Recyclers Ltd.

The proponent proposes to extract peat from a peat bog located off Route 101 near Long Harbour to blend with soil in order to carry out final hydro seeding at the Albright and Wilson Remediation Project. Peat will be removed from a one half acre site to an average depth of three metres. The total volume of peat to be removed is approximately 2,400 cubic metres. An excavator will be used to remove the peat, loading three semi-dump trucks and will require approximately 200 trips to Long Harbour. Upon removal of the peat, the site will be graded to eliminate any steep grades or drop offs. The project is planned to begin in June and will take approximately three to four months to complete. The undertaking was registered on March 10; public comments are due on April 16; and, the minister's decision is due on April 24.

Peter's River Basin Blueberry Farm
Proponent: Jumper's Brook Blueberry Farm Inc.

The proponent proposes to develop a blueberry farm on 150 hectares of land in the Peter's River Watershed approximately halfway between the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor and New Bay Road. The area will be cleared to ground level by hand to allow more light to enhance the existing wild blueberry plants. Some trees will be left to create wind breaks. The blueberry plants will be pruned to promote growth and pollinated with the aid of honey bees. The expected yield is approximately 600 to 1,200 pounds of blueberries per hectare. The undertaking was registered on March 17; public comments are due on April 17; and, the minister's decision is due on May 1.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:

The minister has decided that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required for the:

1. Bishop's Falls Auto Salvage & Recycling
   Proponent: Central Salvage

2. Sunday Cove Island Smokehouse (Smoked Fish)
   Harvey G. Whitt

These projects have been released from environmental assessment as per requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act.

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: (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 /env

1999 03 26                                 4:50 p.m.