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:

2000 Hemlock Looper Spray Program (Northern Peninsula)
Proponent: Newfoundland Forest Service

The proponent is proposing to implement an aerial forest spray program using B.t.k. and an insect growth regulator Mimic (tebufenozide) to control Hemlock looper. The areas of infestation are located on the Western side of the Northern Peninsula in the River of Ponds to Ten Mile Lake area. The aerial spray program is proposed to treat approximately 23,000 hectares of forest with approximately 6,000 hectares being treated with Mimic and 17,000 hectares with B.t.k. The spray program is tentatively scheduled to begin in July and continue to early August. The undertaking was registered on April 27, 2000; public comments are due on May 28, 2000; and the minister's decision is due on June 11, 2000.

2000 Sawfly Spray Program (Western and Central Newfoundland)
Proponent: Newfoundland Forest Service

The proponent is proposing an aerial and ground spray program using Neemix 4.5 (azadirachtin) and a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NeabNPV), a naturally occurring balsam fir sawfly virus, to selected forest areas (mainly silvicultural treated stands). The purpose of the spray program is to control infestation levels of the balsam fir sawfly in Western and Southern Newfoundland and the yellowheaded spruce sawfly in Central and South Central Newfoundland. The spray program is tentatively scheduled to start in late June and continue to early August. The undertaking was registered on April 27, 2000; public comments are due on May 28, 2000; and the minister's decision is due on June 11, 2000.

Makinsons Sand Quarry (Pit)
Proponent: Anita Makinson

The proponent proposes to construct a 4.4 hectare sand quarry in Makinsons, approximately 150 metres east of Goulds Road Bridge. The quarry will be a pit run type of operation, with sand being removed using an excavator and trucks. The undertaking was registered on April 28, 2000; public comments are due on May 28, 2000; and the minister's decision is due on June 12, 2000.

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

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