Environment and Conservation
February 2, 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 REGISTERED:

Wabush Area Quarry                                                                       (Reg. 1557)
Proponent: Allard Distributing Ltd.

The proponent proposes to develop a sand and gravel quarry located 15.5 kilometres east of the Town of Wabush and 1.5 kilometres south of Route 500, the Trans Labrador Highway. The quarry area will be approximately two hectares in size and access to the site will be through an existing dirt access road. The area will be developed as an open pit operation to produce concrete aggregates such as Class A and B road material for general construction work in western Labrador. Processing of the material will be limited to excavation, crushing and screening and there will be no blasting involved. The operation will typically run between May to October and it has a potential operating life of five years.

The undertaking was registered on February 1, 2011. The deadline for public comments is March 9, 2011. The minister’s decision is due by March 17, 2011.

Forestry Management District 1 - Amendment to Five Year Plan       (Reg. 1556)
Proponent: Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

This project details an amendment to the current Five Year Operating Plan for Forestry Management District 1 (Avalon Peninsula). The amendment concerns the establishment of the Tower Road commercial operating area, located northeast of the community of Mount Carmel-Mitchell’s Brook-St. Catherine’s. Approximately 4.13 hectares will be harvested in the area under amendment. There will be no new road construction associated with this amendment. The area contains silviculturally treated forest dominated by balsam fir. A high proportion of mortality is present in the amendment area and the intent is to capture this wood while it is still merchantable. Commercial harvesting activities will commence in the spring of 2011. The current Five Year Plan for this district will expire on December 31, 2011.

The undertaking was registered on February 1, 2011. The deadline for public comments is March 9, 2011. The minister’s decision is due by March 18, 2011.

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 website 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 02 02                                                     10:45 a.m.