The following is being distributed at the request of the Canada�Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board:

Draft strategic environmental assessment released for public comment

The Canada�Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NOPB) and the Canada�Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) have released a draft copy of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Laurentian sub-basin.

The draft SEA was prepared by Jacques Whitford Environment Limited under contract to the C-NOPB and is currently under review by both boards. The general public is invited to participate in the process by providing written comment on the assessment by May 15. These written comments will be considered in preparation of a final document which will be used as both boards negotiate the conversion of the existing exploration permits in the area to exploration licences.

A strategic environmental assessment provides a broad overview of the existing environment and considers the scope and nature of the likely environmental effects of activities and possible mitigative measures. The SEA is not a replacement for the more detailed and specific environmental assessment that must be submitted to the regulatory boards as part of all work authorization applications in either offshore area.

Written comments on the draft SEA will be reviewed by both boards, but for the ease of public participation, only need to be forwarded to the C-NOPB no later than 4:00 p.m. NDT on Thursday, May 15 and addressed to:

Kim Coady, Environmental Assessment Officer, Canada � Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board; 5^th Floor � TD Place; 140 Water Street; St. John�s; Newfoundland; A1C 6H6; or via e-mail at postmaster@cnopb.nf.ca.

A copy of the draft Strategic Environmental Assessment is available on the Web sites of both Boards � at www.cnsopb.ns.ca or at www.cnopb.nfnet.com . Those without access to the Internet can request a copy of the draft SEA through the offices of either board:

CNSOPB,                                                                                    C-NOPB
18^th Floor - TD Centre,                                                                   Fifth Floor, TD Place
1791 Barrington Street,                                                                  140 Water Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia,                                                                     St. John�s, Newfoundland
B3J 3K9,                                                                                      A1C 6H6
(902) 422-5588.                                                                             (709) 778-1400

Click SEA to view document.

For further information, contact:

Edsel Bonnell
Public Information Coordinator
C-NOPB
(709) 778-1440

Barbara B. Pike
Public Information Coordinator
CNSOPB
(902) 496-0744 - /(902) 221-5611

2003 04 10                                      2:40 p.m.