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) Buchans Mink Farm (Re-submission) (Reg. 1270)
Proponent: Buchans Fur Company Ltd.

This proposed undertaking has been significantly changed by the proponent from the previous submission (Reg. 1248) to attempt to address environmental concerns or for other reasons.

The proponent proposes to construct and operate a mink farm on approximately 24 hectares of land located east of Buchans on Route 370. The undertaking will consist of mink sheds, storage sheds, utility shed, perimeter fencing, manure storage and access road on approximately four hectares with additional land developed as required for manure spreading. The operation plans to begin with 500 breeding females and expand over the following two to three years to 1,500 female breeders. Construction is planned to commence in July 2006, with arrival of initial breeding stock in April 2007. The undertaking was registered on June 23, 2006; public comments are due by August 4, 2006; and the minister's decision is due by August 7, 2006.

(2) Crown District 2 Forest Access Roads Amendment (Reg. 1271)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Service

The proponent proposes to construct seven forest access roads ranging in length from one to three kilometres (combined total length 13.5 kilometres) and two new bridges in Forest Management District 2 (Bonavista Peninsula area) as an amendment to the 2001-2006 Five Year Operating Plan. The proposed roads are located throughout the district, with two of the roads at World Pond and White Hills to be constructed to primary forest access road standard and the other five roads to be constructed to a secondary road standard. The two proposed bridges are to be constructed one at the end of the three kilometres of White Hills Road #1 and the second at the end of the one kilometre of Blue Gull Pond Road. Construction work for the access road and bridges is planned to be completed by the end of 2006 in preparation of future forestry activity in 2007. The undertaking was registered on June 30, 2006; public comments are due by August 4, 2006; and the minister's decision is due by August 14, 2006.

(3) St. John�s (Northern Pond Road) Motor Sport Park (Re-submission) (Reg. 1272)
Proponent: X-treme Promotions Inc.

[This proposed undertaking has been significantly changed by the proponent from the previous submission (Reg. 1210) to attempt to address environmental concerns or for other reasons.]

The proponent plans to develop a multi-season motor sport recreation facility south of the Trans-Canada Highway and northeast of Cochrane Pond in the Paddy�s Pond area for such recreational uses as snowmobiling, motocross and biking for leisure riders and competitive racing.

Approximately ten supervised snowmobile, ATV, bicycle and dirt bike events will be organized annually for the eight acres of track that will be cleared. Events will take place between September (after Labour Day holiday weekend) through May, up to May 24 holiday weekend. There will be general use / admission to the site for practice and leisure riding on days that special events are not scheduled. Construction is planned to commence in September 2006. The undertaking was registered on June 30, 2006; public comments are due by August 4, 2006; and the minister's decision is due by August 14, 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.

UNDERTAKING WITHDRAWN:

Buchans Mink Farm (Reg. 1248)
Proponent: Buchans Fur Company Ltd.

The proponent has withdrawn the above undertaking from environmental assessment.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

2006 Balsam Fir Sawfly Spray Program Using NeabNPV (Reg. 1259)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Forest Service

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 30        4:35 p.m.