August 13, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Environmental Assessment Bulletin - August 6

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:

Forest Mgt Plan D. 18 (East Castor, Sail & Coles Pds) Amend
Proponent: Newfoundland Forest Service

The proponent proposes an amendment to the five-year operating plan for District 18 on the Great Northern Peninsula for commercial operators to harvest timber in three new areas near East Castor Pond, Sail Pond and Coles Pond. The amendment is necessary because of a high cull incidence at East Castor Pond and because of extremely poor ground conditions at Sail Pond and Coles Pond. The plan amendment proposes the harvesting of 42,500 cubic metres of timber over a 2,900 hectare area and will include the construction of 6.65 kilometres of new road and the reconstruction of one kilometre of road. The undertaking was registered on August 2, 1999; public comments are due on September 3, 1999; and the minister's decision is due on September 16, 1999.

Service Depot between Churchill Falls & Goose Bay; and between Churchill Falls & Labrador City
Proponent: Department of Works, Services and Transportation

The proponent plans to construct two service depots on the Trans Labrador Highway approximately mid-way between Churchill Falls and Goose Bay and mid-way between Churchill Falls and Labrador City. The depots have been proposed to increase the level of service and improve safety. Construction will include an office and living quarters, garage and fuel holding tanks on a 2.5 hectare lot. Construction is planned to begin in late September of 1999. The undertaking was registered on August 2, 1999; public comments are due on September 3, 1999; and the minister's decision is due on September 16, 1999.

Spaniard's Bay Horticultural Peat Quarry
Proponent: Raycon Services Limited

The proponent proposes to extract peat from a peat bog located approximately seven kilometers east of route 70 at the end of Seymours Road in Spaniard's Bay. The peat will be mixed with soil for landscaping and horticultural purposes. Peat will be removed from the one hectare site to a maximum depth of three meters. The total annual volume of peat to be removed is estimated to be 1,000 cubic metres. Rehabilitation plans upon removal of the peat will include sloping and seeding the area to conform with the surrounding landscape. The undertaking was registered on August 2, 1999; public comments are due on September 3, 1999; and the minister's decision is due on September 16, 1999.

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 /env

1999 08 13         1:40 p.m.