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:

Snowmobile Trail - Plum Point to Roddickton, Northern Peninsula
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation

The proponent plans to construct a snowmobile trail from Plum Point to Roddickton, on the Northern Peninsula. The proposed trail will be six metres wide and will form an extension to the Newfoundland Integrated Snowmobile Trail. The trail will follow existing woods roads where possible and will require cutting of approximately 13 kilometres of new trails to connect to adjacent woods roads to complete the trail. The undertaking was registered on August 4, 2000; public comments are due on September 11, 2000; and the minister's decision is due on September 18, 2000.

Abitibi Forestry Mgt District 16 Amendment (Sheffield Lake Area)
Proponent: Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

The proponent proposes an amendment to the five-year operating plan for Forestry Management District 16 between Sheffield Lake and Burnt Berry Brook in central Newfoundland. The planned amendment is for the harvesting of approximately 17,000 cubic metres of timber over a 192 hectare area and the construction of two kilometres of access roads and upgrade of 7.5 kilometres of existing roads. The timber will be harvested using manual cutting techniques and will be shipped to the Stephenville mill. Approximately 60 per cent of the mature and over-mature forest stands in this area have been identified as Crown Closure Class III which generally indicates the timber is in the process of blowing down. The undertaking was registered on August 4, 2000; public comments are due on September 11, 2000; and the minister's decision is due on September 18, 2000.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED FROM ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:

The minister has released the following project from environmental assessment as per requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act:

Forest Mgt District 17 Amendment (East Castor Pd, Brig Bay, Squid C.)
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT AND REGULATIONS

The minister, announced today that government has proclaimed the Environmental Assessment Act, 2000 which was passed in the House of Assembly during the past spring session and has also approved the new regulations to accompany the Act. For more information on the new Act and regulations see the Department of Environment and Labour August 7, 2000 press release at www.gov.nl.ca/env.

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

2000 08 07                        3:45 p.m.