Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Little Gander Pond ATV Trail
Proponent: Noel C. Hutton

The proponent intends to build a 1.25 kilometre long by 3 metre wide All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trail to facilitate year-round access to a remote cabin at Little Gander Pond in central Newfoundland. Included along the trail will be one 3 metre log bridge and 30 metres of log corduroy. Construction is planned for the spring of 2003 and will take three days using hand tools (no heavy equipment). The project was registered on April 11, 2003; public comments are due on May 16, 2003; and the minister's decision is due on May 26, 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) Goodyears Cove Park Enhancement (Upgrading and Expansion)
Proponent: Town of South Brook

(2) Andrews Pond (Clarenville) Water Control Structure
Proponent: Town of Clarenville

(3) Crown Five Year Operating Plan Forest Management District 8 (2003-2008), Exploit�s Bay
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (DFRA)

The undertaking has been released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

DFRA must establish the buffers around waterbodies identified by the Provincial Archaeology Office

DFRA must develop a Human Resource Plan within six months, outlining specific targets and initiatives to address the need for gender equity in the undertaking, including provisions for recruitment, training and/or other measures which would make these jobs more accessible to women. An annual employment monitoring report must be submitted, including employment statistics by gender, in order to track the progress on participation of women and to implement adjustment strategies if targets are not being attained.

Mineral exploration and development on mineral licences within the operating areas must not be impeded.

(4) Crown Five Year Operating Plan Forest Management District 15 (2003-2008)
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods (DFRA)

The undertaking has been released from environmental assessment subject to the following condition:

DFRA must 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, DFRA must submit an employment monitoring report on an annual basis, including collection of employment statistics by gender, in order to track progress on the plan and 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

2003 04 11                                       3:35 p.m.