Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment Minister Ralph Wiseman has announced the following events relative to the Environmental Assessment Act.

NEW UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Crown Five-Year Forest Mgt. Plan Dist. 17 (Port Saunders) 2002-2007
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

The proponent has submitted a five-year forest operating plan for Crown Land in District 17 (Port Saunders Management District), which is located on the southern half of the Great Northern Peninsula. The plan covers the operating period from April 2002 to March 2007. The plan describes past forestry activities, the allocation of wood supply and harvesting, forestry exchange agreements, silviculture activities, road construction, habitat protection and environmental protection and land use. The plan describes proposed harvesting of approximately 57,540 cubic metres of timber per year (approx. 287,700 cubic metres total over the five-year period) by commercial and domestic harvesting on Crown Lands. Construction of 121 kilometres of forest roads to access mature and over mature forest stands, including 26 kilometres of roads in the Soufflets River Valley to access timber in future planning periods. Also proposed is 6,460 hectares of silviculture treatment including stand reclamation, planting and thinning during the five-year period. The undertaking was registered on January 24; public comments are due on February 28; and the minister's decision is due on March 10.

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Five-Year Operating Plan (2002 - 2006), Forest Management District 16
(Main River Watershed)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

On December 20, 2001, the minister required an environmental preview report (EPR) to address environmental issues related to the portion of the undertaking within the Main River Watershed. As required by the Environmental Assessment Act, 2000, the minister has now appointed an Environmental Assessment Committee to advise him on scientific and technical matters related to the undertaking. The committee has representation from the following government departments:

• Department of Environment
• Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods
• Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
• Environment Canada
• Parks Canada

The committee will prepare guidelines for the EPR for the minister's consideration. Once approved by the minister, the guidelines will be made available to the public for information. The proponent is required to prepare and submit the EPR in accordance with the guidelines. The EPR, when submitted, will be available for public review.

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
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6

Environmental Assessment Information is on the Government Web site at: www.gov.nl.ca/env

2002 01 24                          3:00 p.m.