Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Bonavista Highway Poultry Farm and Foliage Crop Production
Proponent: George and Vera Greening

The proponents, George and Vera Greening, propose to add 200 hectares of additional Crown Land to their existing poultry farm. The purpose of the undertaking is to address the increased capacity of the existing farm by providing more acreage to handle the additional chicken manure by-product. The proposed site is located approximately eight km north of the TCH and two km south of Morley's Siding. The undertaking was registered on December 23, 2002; public comments are due by January 27, 2003; and the minister's decision is due on February 6, 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 date shown.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

(1) Argentia Hydrometallurgical Demonstration Plant
Proponent: Voisey�s Bay Nickel Company Ltd.

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

• An Environmental Protection Plan, as per Section 7.0 of the Registration document, approved by the Minister of Environment, must be in place prior to the commencement of any activities associated with that plan;
  
• An Environmental Effects Monitoring Program, as per Section 7.0 of the Registration document, approved by the Minister of Environment, must be in place six months in advance of the start-up of operations;
  
• Prior to significant development of the project, a detailed Human Resource Plan for the operations and construction phases of this project must be approved by the Minister of Environment. This plan should outline the recruitment process, numbers and types of positions needed, required qualifications, potential training, as well as perceived labour supply issues. Potential issues with the construction and operation of the longer term processing facility should also be noted. Consideration must be given for the local area labour force demographics and employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals. The Human Resource Plan must also contain a Women�s Employment Plan. This plan must set targets and outline how training, recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of women will take place, particularly in occupations where they have been traditionally under-represented. It must also provide a monitoring program to ensure that the goals of the Women�s Employment Plan are achieved. The plan must be developed as an integrated component of the overall Human Resource/Employment Plan for the project. Prior to significant development, hiring or other activities which could impact the effectiveness of efforts to increase the participation of women (e.g. negotiation with trade unions on work conditions) a framework for the Women�s Employment Plan should be developed to identify issues and possible initiatives, particularly for the earlier stages of the undertaking; and,
  
• A Community Liaison Committee with stakeholders in the area and appropriate government agencies must be established prior to significant development of the project.

(2) Abitibi Consolidated Five Year Management Plan District 12
Proponent: Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

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

• The proposed harvest areas located on the east and west sides of Red Indian Lake (areas ACC 12-27 TO 12-41) encompass an area known to support resident breeding Newfoundland Pine Marten, which is an endangered species. Further to recent discussions between Abitibi Consolidated Inc. and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation regarding analysis of these areas, those that can be harvested at this time are outlined on the attached map. These areas may be amended by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation based on the outputs from the Marten HSI Model. Agreement must be reached with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on additional harvest areas before any harvesting occurs;
  
• As outlined in the agreement dated November 21, 2002, prior to any harvesting or road upgrading near Victoria Lodge and Outfitters at Victoria River and also near Newfoundland and Labrador Hunting and Fishing at Caines Lake, the proponent must negotiate acceptable mitigation with the lodge owners to ensure viable outfitting operations and forest harvest; and,
  
• The proponent must develop a Human Resources 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 the jobs more accessible to women. An employment monitoring report must be submitted 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.

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 12 23                                       4:05 p.m.