Environment and Conservation
January 27, 2011

Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Garnish to Point Rosie All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail
Proponent: Garnish-Point Rosie Trail Association Inc.                       (Reg. 1535)

Crown Districts 17 & 18 Five Year Operating Plan (2008-2012) Amendment
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources                                 (Reg. 1541)

Stephenville Indian Head Salmon Hatchery Revised
Proponent: Northern Harvest Sea Farms Newfoundland Ltd.            (Reg.1544)

The project is released from further environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

• A satisfactory full scale hydrogeologic assessment of the proposed groundwater source is required and shall be carried out by a qualified hydrogeologic professional. The full extent of the influence of the proposed water use on the aquifer needs to be evaluated in this assessment in order to ensure that there are no long-term negative effects on water quality or quantity from this source. This hydrogeologic assessment is to be submitted and approved by the Minister of Environment and Conservation.
• A groundwater monitoring program must be implemented by Northern Harvest Sea Farms Newfoundland Ltd. to monitor water levels and water quality. The program must be approved by the Water Resources Management Division (WRMD). Water level data shall be collected continuously using a recording data logger, and selected water quality parameters will be collected weekly, with monthly and annual reports submitted to this department for review for a period of at least two years. The format, content and quality of all reports must be approved by WRMD. Extension of the monitoring and reporting beyond two years will be at the discretion of the Minister of Environment and Conservation.
• Northern Harvest Sea Farms Newfoundland Ltd. will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Environment and Conservation for the installation of a real time water quality and quantity monitoring network to monitor water levels and selected quality parameters. The type, number and location of the stations required will depend on site conditions and final operation plans. The proponent is to bear all costs associated with the groundwater monitoring network and must install the required network prior to the start of operation.
• A health and safety plan is required if any excavation is going to take place in subsurface soil (below 1 metre depth) in the areas of identified or potential contamination. In addition, workers should be made aware of the contamination and be required to wear personal protective equipment to minimize potential exposure to contaminants.

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

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

2011 01 27                                                         3:20 p.m.