Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment and Conservation Minister Clyde Jackman has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

Undertakings Registered:

(1) Bloom Lake Iron Project Railway                                    (Reg.1263)
Proponent: Consolidated Thompson-Lundmark Gold Mines Ltd.

The proponent proposes to construct and operate a new 36 kilometre long single-track railway line to connect the company's existing mine site near Fermont in northern Quebec with the existing railway line between Wabush Mines and the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway. A marshalling yard and repair shop will be built near the junction with the existing railway and the crossing of Highway Route 389. The rail connection is necessary to deliver iron concentrates to the port of Sept-Iles for trans-shipment by boat to overseas and domestic customers. Except for the initial two kilometres of track, all of the line will be located in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The undertaking was registered on June 6, 2006; public comments are due by July 13, 2006; and, the minister's decision is due by July 21, 2006.

(2) Golden Gullies Access Road & Cottage Development                     (Reg. 1264)
Proponent: Ramsay and Marcella Smallwood

The proponent proposes construction of a 2.25 kilometre access road for the development of approximately 30 unserviced cottage lots at Golden Gullies Pond, Avalon Peninsula. Golden Gullies Pond is located on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway between Roaches Line and Hodgewater Line exchanges and about two kilometres north of Mahers. The proposed cottage lots will be between 0.5 and 0.75 hectares in size, covering an area of approximately 18 hectares. Work is proposed to start in late July and will take approximately four weeks to complete. The undertaking was registered on June 6, 2006; Public comments are due by July 13, 2006; and, the minister's decision is due by July 21, 2006.

(3) Crown District 8 (Upper Scissors Pond) Forest Plan Amendment                      (Reg. 1265)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources

The proponent proposes to harvest approximately 9,000 cubic metres of merchantable softwood and hardwood, covering an area of approximately 185 hectares in Forest Management District 8 (Exploits Bay District) near Upper Scissors Pond, to the southwest of the Town of Lewisporte. The harvesting operation will include approximately 7,500 cubic metres of softwood (primarily black spruce) and 1,500 cubic metres of hardwood (primarily white birch) and will be completed over a one year period. Approximately 3.5 kilometres of road will be constructed for the harvesting operation. Once the harvesting and subsequent silvicultural activities are completed, the road will be decommissioned. The undertaking was registered on June 7, 2006; Public comments are due by July 13, 2006; and, the minister's decision is due by July 22, 2006.

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.

Environmental Preview Report Required:

Belleoram Crushed Rock Export Quarry                             (Reg. 1247)
Proponent: Continental Stone Limited

The minister has advised the proponent that an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) is required for this project. The EPR is necessary to address deficiencies in the registration document in an effort to determine the significance of any environmental effects. An Environmental Assessment Committee will be appointed to provide advice to the minister on guidelines for the proponent on the preparation of the EPR and the adequacy of the EPR when it is received from the proponent. The public will be invited to provide comments on the EPR upon its submission. For further information on this project contact (committee chairperson) John Eason at (709)729-5706 or email at JEason@gov.nl.ca

Environmental Assessment Committee Appointed:

Argentia Wind Farm                                       (Reg. 1224)
Proponent: Wind Project Inc.

The minister has appointed the following agencies to the Environmental Assessment Committee for the purpose of advising him on scientific and technical matters related to the Argentia Wind Farm:

Environmental Assessment Division, Department of Environment and Conservation
Wildlife Division, Department of Environment and Conservation
Forestry Branch, Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection, Environment Canada
Public Works and Government Services Canada

The Environmental Assessment Committee will now prepare draft guidelines to be issued by the minister for public review and comment prior to finalizing the guidelines which will be issued to the proponent for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). For further information on this project contact (committee chairperson) Ed Kaufhold at (709)729-0090 or email at EKaufhold@gov.nl.ca

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 and Conservation
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

2006 06 08                      4:25 p.m.