Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

(1) King's Brook to T'railway Park Snowmobile Trail                                                       (Reg. 1119)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation

The proponent proposes to construct a nine kilometre section of snowmobile trail from an existing trail west of Dawe's Pond to the T'railway Park near King's Brook, in the Millertown Junction area. The proposed trail will be six metres wide and construction is planned for late winter/spring, 2004. The undertaking was registered on February 2, 2004; public comments are due by March 9, 2004; and, the minister's decision is due on March 18, 2004.

(2) Abitibi-Consolidated District 12 Harpoon Branch North Amendment                           (Reg. 1120)
Proponent: Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

The proponent proposes to harvest a total of approximately 14,800 cubic metres of mature softwood timber, representing approximately 126 hectares. This harvesting falls within the current five-year annual allowable cut calculations by the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. To access the merchantable timber, approximately 1.7 kilometres of existing road will be upgraded and approximately 2.9 kilometres of new operational road will be constructed. Construction of the roads and subsequent harvesting is tentatively scheduled for May, 2004. The undertaking was registered on February 2, 2004; public comments are due by March 9, 2004; and, the minister's decision is due on March 18, 2004.

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) St. Anthony Sanitary Sewer Pipeline Outfall                                                            (Reg. 1099) 
Proponent: Town of St. Anthony

(2) Crown Forest Management District 4 (Terra Nova Lake) Amendment                         (Reg. 1112)
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

(3) Tug Pond - Frost Pond ATV Trail                                                                            (Reg. 1105)
Proponent: Mr. Robert Avery

The above undertaking is released from further environmental assessment subject to the following condition:

• A 50-metre buffer zone must be maintained between the trail and the high-water mark of all water bodies.

Further information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Environmental Assessment at (709) 729-4211 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

2004 02 04                                         10:05 a.m.