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:

(1)  Mount Pearl, Donovans Industrial Park, Drilling Mud/Fluid Plant
      Proponent: QMAX Solutions Inc. of Calgary

The proponent intends to build an office/warehouse building as well as storage tanks and a mixing tank (both within a bermed and fenced area) at 30 Kyle Avenue in Mount Pearl in order to service offshore oil industry well drilling activities by mixing and reconditioning drilling fluids. It is anticipated that site development will be completed by the summer of 2003. It is proposed that there could be 30 shipments of drilling fluids produced per month; with four to five shipments produced during peak periods. The project was registered on November 27, 2002; public comments are due January 2, 2003; and the minister's decision is due January 11, 2003.

(2)  St. Fintan�s/Lockleven Abattoir
      Proponent: Wade Alley

The proponent proposes to construct an abattoir for livestock to be located off Route 405, approximately midway between the communities of St. Fintan�s and Lockleven, on the west coast of the island, St. George�s Bay area. The proposal is for a seasonal operation to process livestock for sale to local customers and for processing of other livestock in the area. A 7.5 metre by 12 metre building is planned to be constructed. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2003 and is estimated to take approximately 10 weeks to complete. The undertaking was registered on November 25, 2002; public comments are due by January 2, 2003; and the minister�s decision is due by January 9, 2003.

The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known. Comments on submitted documents are invited from the public, addressed in writing to the minister, and are welcome prior to the deadline dates shown.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

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

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

• A Stage 1 Historic Resources Impact Assessment is required to be completed prior to construction of (1) the laydown area, and (2) the access road from 6000N and 402950E to the laydown area. Consultation must be made with the Provincial Archaeology Office, Historic Resources Division at (709) 729-2462 on this matter.

(2)  Abitibi Consolidated Five Year Management Plan District 11
      Proponent: Abitibi Consolidated Inc.

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

• Develop a Human Resource Plan within six months outlining specific initiatives and targets to address the need for gender equity in the undertaking, including provisions for the recruitment, training and/or other measures which would make these jobs more accessible to women. Also, to submit an employment monitoring report on an annual basis, including collection of employment statistics by gender in order to track progress on the plan to implement adjustment strategies if targets are not being attained.
  
• As outlined in the agreement dated November 21, 2002, prior to any harvesting or road upgrading near Miguel Mountain Outfitters Lodge at Great Rattling Brook, the proponent must negotiate acceptable mitigation with the lodge owner to ensure a viable outfitting operation and forest harvest.
  
• A 100 metre no cut buffer will be maintained adjacent to Great Rattling Brook.

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, NL, A1B 4J6

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

2002 11 28                                        3:05 p.m.