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:

Chapel Arm Sheep Abattoir
Proponent: Little Gut Sheep Farm

The proponent plans to construct an abattoir for sheep in Chapel Arm, Trinity Bay. The building for the abattoir will be 4.5 metres by nine metres and will be located on the existing farm site. The undertaking was registered on February 22, public comments are due on March 24, and the minister's decision is due on April 7.

GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT ISSUED

Amendment to the five year operating plan for the Main River - Sheffield Lake Areas, Forest Management District 16
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

As a result of the minister's decision on February 7 to require Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd. to submit an environmental preview report (EPR) for the above undertaking, in accordance with Section 10 of the Environmental Assessment Act the minister has issued final guidelines to the proponent. The guidelines are intended to provide instructions to the proponent in the preparation of the EPR. The EPR is required to address issues including the project description, an alternatives analysis and potential impacts on old growth forest, wildlife, birds, fish and tourism.

Following submission of the EPR by the proponent, it will be made available to the public for review. The guidelines are available on the Internet at /env or from the EA Division. For further information call Wayne Tucker, chair of the Environmental Assessment Committee at (709) 729-1091.

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

FEDERAL REVIEW OF THE CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT

The federal government is conducting a review of its environmental assessment legislation and is seeking input from Canadians. Meetings will be held in 19 cities across Canada. A meeting is scheduled to be held in St. John's on March 7, at the Hotel Newfoundland from 2-5 p.m. and 7- 10 p.m. The federal government invites you to attend the public meeting to express your views on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Act is designed to prevent or reduce environmental damage from new development projects which require federal decisions. The Act is currently under review to find out how well it has worked, and what needs to be improved. Your views will be considered in a report by the Minister of the Environment to Parliament later this year. If you cannot attend the meeting you may express your views in writing to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency by March 31.

Consult the federal government interactive web site for additional information: //www.ceaa.gc.ca/fiveyear/index_e.htm. You may also contact Ghislaine Kerry at (819) 953- 0179 (call collect), (819) 953-1207 (fax), or ghislaine.kerry@ceaa.gc.ca (e-mail)

2000 02 24                                                 1:50 p.m.