Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Newfoundland and Labrador Refinery Project                                         (Reg. 1301)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Refinery Corporation

On December 11 the minister required that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared to address environmental issues related to the undertaking. As required by the Environmental Protection Act, the minister has now appointed an assessment committee with representation from the following government agencies:

• Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Environmental Assessment Division � Committee Chair
  • Water Resources Management Division
  • Wildlife Division
  • Pollution Prevention Division
  • Parks and Natural Areas Division
• Department of Municipal Affairs
• Department of Government Services
• Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
  • Cultural Heritage, Archaeology Section
• Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
• Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Department of Health and Community Services
• Environment Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Transport Canada

The committee will develop the guidelines which will highlight the environmental issues to be addressed in the EIS. The draft guidelines will be made available to the public for comment before being approved by the minister. The proponent is required to submit the EIS which will be available for public review. For further information on this project contact the Environmental Assessment Committee chairperson Ed Kaufhold at 709-729-0090 or email at ekaufhold@gov.nl.ca

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

(1) CBPP Districts 9 and 16 Five Year Operating Plan                             (Reg. 1292)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

The minister has released the above project from further environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• The Annual Operating Plan submitted to government must describe how issues raised by the public and government agencies in this Environmental Assessment Review will be addressed.
• An Annual Progress Report must be submitted to this department and the Department of Natural Resources that outlines the outcome of these measures.

(2) Abitibi District 5 Five Year Operating Plan (2007-11)                         (Reg. 1294)
Proponent: Abitibi Consolidated Company of Canada

The minister has released the above project from further environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• The Annual Operating Plan submitted to government must describe how issues raised by the public and government agencies in this Environmental Assessment Review will be addressed.
• An Annual Progress Report must be submitted to this department and the Department of Natural Resources that outlines the outcome of these measures.

(3) CBPP Districts 5 and 6, 5-Yr Operating Plan (2007-11)                     (Reg. 1299)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

The minister has released the above project from further environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• The Annual Operating Plan submitted to government must describe how issues raised by the public and government agencies in this Environmental Assessment Review will be addressed.
• An Annual Progress Report must be submitted to this department and the Department of Natural Resources that outlines the outcome of these measures.
• The proponent must implement and maintain a 500 metre buffer of its harvesting operations and forest access road construction adjacent to the Rodney Pond Ecological Reserve study area.

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 12 22                                  12:30 p.m.