Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment Minister Kevin Aylward has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Rigolet Access Road to Loading Area/Wharf
Proponent: Labrador Inuit Development Corporation

The Labrador Inuit Development Corporation (LIDC) plans to construct a six kilometre access road southwest of Rigolet to a proposed wharf and lay-down/storage area for shipping blocks of dimension stone received from northern quarries. The proposed road is planned to start at the community waste disposal site and end approximately 1.8 kilometres northeast of Alexander Point, close to the north shore of Lake Melville. Construction is planned for a one lane class c-2 gravel road for transporting workers to the site. Other features of the project include a two hectare lay-down/storage area and adjacent timber crib wharf with access to eight metres of water depth for receiving and shipping dimension stone. The project is planned to be undertaken over two construction seasons and completed in 2003. The project was registered on September 25, 2002; public comments are due by October 31, 2002; and the minister's decision is due by November 9, 2002.

The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Bellevue 18-Hole Golf Course (2002)
Proponent: L. Mareido Enterprises Limited

The above project has been released from further environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

No part of the golf course or buildings and their sanitary servicing may be on the existing protected watershed, and a 100-metre buffer of undisturbed vegetation must be maintained around the drilled community well north of the northwest end of the golf course.

A 50-metre treed buffer is to be maintained between the shoreline of Broad Lake and all tees and greens and a 50-metre buffer for fairways is recommended.

Should the community water supply become impaired by any activity, practice, or action by construction of the golf course taken deliberately, negligently, or accidentally, the golf course owners/operators must provide an alternate water supply for the community for as long as is necessary to restore the existing system; restore the water quality to its present condition; or take measures (including the removal of facilities) to rehabilitate the affected area at the owners/operators expense in order to rectify any water pollution related problems.

Although surveys have indicated that there are no osprey nests on the site, an additional survey must be conducted prior to construction to identify any new nests within 800 metres. If a new nest is discovered, there must not be construction within 800 metres during the nesting season. Then relocation in conjunction with Inland Fish and Wildlife Division is an option or the course may be designed so that it does not encroach within 200 metres of the nest. A log should be kept for osprey observations by staff and visitors. The logbooks (or a copy) should be forwarded to the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division at the end of each season.

Certification of the course under the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses must be accomplished within three years from the start of construction.

Gender balance must be considered in hiring for all positions.

Additional conditions will be attached to the various permits, licences and leases required for the construction and operation of the project.

MONITORING PROGRAM APPROVED:

St. Lawrence Wind Demonstration Project
Proponent: The NeWind Group

The proponent's registration for the St. Lawrence Wind Demonstration Project contained a commitment to prepare a bird monitoring program to be used to design, implement and evaluate mitigation strategies. The program has now been approved with the understanding that line transects will be conducted in addition to the observation activity described. The program is available for information on the department's Web site.

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 09 26                                          2:05 p.m.