Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Bay D'Espoir Highway Cranberry Farm
Proponent: King's Cranberry Farm                       (Reg. 1494)

The proposal is to develop a cranberry farm on a 60 hectare peat bog. The site is located approximately 39 kilometres from the intersection of the Bay D'Espoir Highway and the Trans Canada Highway in Central Newfoundland, south of the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor. Construction is scheduled over a two- to three-year period, with development of approximately 18 hectares of cranberry beds with six hectares of beds developed per year. Construction will include removal of vegetation, ditching installation of irrigation and sediment ponds, berms, bed drainage tile, water control structures, farm auxiliary buildings and construction of an access road. Sand, fertilizers and pesticides will be applied to the cranberry beds during operation. Harvesting of the cranberries includes flooding each field, in succession, with approximately 45 centimetres of water and removal with a cranberry beater. The project is scheduled to commence in 2010, subject to approval.

The undertaking was registered on May 4, 2010; public comments are due June 8, 2010; and the minister's decision is due by June 18, 2010.

Microbial Fermentation Facility
Proponent: ICUS                                 (Reg. 1493)

The proponent proposes to establish a microbial fermentation facility at 44 Clyde Avenue in Donovan's Industrial Park, Mount Pearl. The facility will produce microbials (microorganisms) that are used in agriculture as inoculants for increasing crop yields, and as biocontrol agents for increasing plant health and reducing disease. The production process involves growing the organisms in seed vessels, transferring to a production vessel and drying, formulating and packaging. The facility will produce up to 1,500 kilograms of dry material in the first year of production and up to 10,000 kilograms at maximum capacity. The facility will produce products for export to the US and mainland Canada.

The undertaking was registered on April 30, 2010; public comments are due by June 8, 2010; and, the minister's decision is due by June 14, 2010.

Harry's River Cranberry Farm
Proponent: Harry's River Cranberry Farm Ltd.                      (Reg. 1492)

The proposal is to develop approximately 73.5 hectares of cranberry beds, 1500 metres east of Harry's River Bridge on Route 460. The site is located east of the municipality of Black Duck Siding and Harry's River on the west coast of Newfoundland.
The development will include removal of vegetation and the installation of irrigation and sediment ponds, berms, bed drainage tile, water control structures, farm auxiliary building, establishment of a sand quarry and access roads. Sand, fertilizers and standard pesticides will be applied to the cranberry beds during operation. Harvesting of the cranberries includes flooding each field, in succession, with approximately 40-45 centimetres of water and removal with a cranberry beater. The project is scheduled to commence between September - December 2010, subject to approval.

The undertaking was registered on April 30, 2010; public comments are due June 8, 2010; and the minister's decision is due by June 14, 2010.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Baie Verte, Stog 'er Tight Goldmine
Proponent: Tenacity Gold Mining Company Ltd.                  (Reg. 1480)

Baie Verte, Deer Cove Gold Mine
Proponent: Tenacity Gold Mining Company Ltd.                  (Reg. 1481)

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT REQUIRED:

Incinerator Road Protein Conversion Plant
Proponent: Country Ribbon Inc.                          (Reg. 1476)

The minister has advised the proponent that an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) is required for this project. The EPR is necessary to address issues and concerns brought forward by agency comments and public submissions during the review of the undertaking. 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 Paul Rideout (committee chairperson) at 709-729-0834 or email at PaulRideout@gov.nl.ca

For further information on the environmental assessment process, please contact 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 department Web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/env

Media contact:
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575; 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca

2010 05 04                    12:05 p.m.