Environment and Conservation
March 24, 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:

Cape St. Francis to Bauline Hiking Trail (Reg. 1569)
Proponent: East Coast Trail Association

The proponent proposes to develop an 18-kilometre coastal hiking trail from Cape St. Francis to Bauline. The project is a continuation of the trail development work that was undertaken from St. John’s to Cape St. Francis. The proposed route runs south from Cape St. Francis and west to Cripple Cove on the eastern shore of Conception Bay. From there, the route is generally south along the shoreline to the boundary of the Marine Drive Park. Minor deviations will be taken to access exceptional view points or avoid areas that may be vulnerable to environmental damage from hiking traffic. Approximately 6.6 kilometres of the trail will pass through the eastern side of the Marine Drive Provincial Park reserve, including 1.5 kilometres that is located within the privately-operated Marine Drive Park. The southern end of the trail will terminate in the Town of Bauline. The trail is located on Crown land, municipal lanes and right-of-ways. The tentative start date for construction is September 1, 2011 for completion by November 30, 2012.

The undertaking was registered on March 23, 2011; the deadline for public comments is April 28, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by May 7, 2011.

Sandy Lake Dam Storage Increase
Proponent: Newfoundland Power Inc. (Reg. 1568)

Newfoundland Power owns and operates a 5.5 megawatt hydroelectric generating station at Sandy Brook, approximately 35 kilometres southwest of Grand Falls-Windsor. Sandy Lake is located upstream of the generating station and is the largest storage reservoir in the development. Newfoundland Power proposes to return the full supply elevation of the lake to historical levels by increasing the spill elevation of the spillway by one metre. Approximately 100 hectares of additional land could be flooded during spring runoff. In addition to the proposed spillway modifications, Newfoundland Power is proposing the construction of 1.5 kilometres of new access road and the refurbishing of 1.2 kilometres of existing unused haul roads.

The undertaking was registered on March 18, 2011; the deadline for public comments is April 28, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by May 2, 2011.

Deer Lake Airport Sewage System Upgrade
Proponent: Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority Inc. (Reg. 1567)

The proponent proposes to upgrade the airport’s existing sewage treatment system to accommodate projected future wastewater flows. The existing sewage treatment system, consisting of a traditional septic system (ie. septic tank, dosing device and tile field), is located to the northwest of the airport parking lot and is proposed to be replaced with a new engineered wetland Abydoz sewage treatment system. The new replacement system is planned to be constructed to the northwest of the existing system adjacent to the Upper Humber River. The Abydoz sewage treatment system will include: a 620-square metre engineered wetland, 534 metres of sanitary sewer line, 40-cubic metre septic tank and minor upgrade to an existing 520-metre access road. Construction is scheduled for the spring of 2011.

The undertaking was registered on March 17, 2011; the deadline for public comments is April 28, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by May 1, 2011.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Caribou Lake Outfitter Lodge Pond Access Road
Proponent: Caribou Pond Outfitting (Reg. 1554)

Fischell’s Brook Forage Production (Resubmission)
Proponent: New World Dairy Inc. (Reg. 1542)

The undertaking was released from environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• The 20-hectare parcel of land that has been silviculturally treated must be removed from this undertaking and from the Crown Lands Application # 136518. No development is permitted to proceed on this parcel of land.
• A 30-metre undisturbed vegetated buffer must be maintained between this undertaking and any adjacent water bodies and wetlands.

Foxtrap Access Road Sand Quarry
Proponent: City Sand and Gravel Ltd. (Reg. 1553)

The undertaking was released from environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

City Sand and Gravel Ltd. must comply with operating conditions specified in a Mining Lease which may be issued by the Department of Natural Resources, Mineral Lands Division. These will include, but not be limited to:

• a requirement to prepare a quarry Development and Rehabilitation Plan including the posting of a security bond. The plan will address all areas of the quarry that have been or will be developed by the proponent;
• a prohibition on the use, for quarry operations, of Middle Bight Road or the Foxtrap Access Road north of the existing quarry access;
• a requirement to control dust in the quarry and along transport routes and to suspend operations if dust becomes problematic for local residents;
• a requirement to restrict operating hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and to not operate on statutory holidays or during the regular school year;
• a prohibition on blasting, crushing and aggregate washing;
• a requirement to maintain a 15-metre undisturbed buffer between the quarry and Middle Bight Road and between the quarry and adjacent private property;
• the lease will be valid for 12 months only, with the option to request a renewal in subsequent years, subject to the standard renewal provisions.

Joan Lake Direct Shipping Ore Project (Phase Two)
Proponent: New Millennium Capital Corporation (Reg. 1465)

The undertaking was released from environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent must complete a hydrogeology study of the project site. This study must be submitted to the Water Resources Management Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation for review and acceptance/approval, prior to any mining activities or discharge of tailings. Information required include dewatering rates from the pits and assessment on the groundwater flow direction around any pit which will receive discharge water (dewatering and slurry).
• The proponent should provide water balances for Timmins 2, 6 or any other pits which may be used and a tailings management plan/schedule for this project and other projects which the proponent is undertaking. The water balance should include such information as: capacity of each pit, sediment loading, water loading from pit dewatering and slurry disposal and estimate infiltration into the ground (pit outflow). The tailings management plan/schedule should include a schedule indicating which pits will be used for the disposal of slurry from washing or water from pit dewatering, when they will be filled to capacity and a schedule for mining operations to show that there will be another pit(s) available.
• The proponent 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/quantity monitoring network to monitor impacts on flow and water quality from the proposed mining project. The type, number and locations of the stations required will depend on site conditions and final operation plans. The proponent would bear all costs associated with the water monitoring network. The network should be installed prior to the start of construction.
• The proponent is required to provide an overview of the migratory bird species present in the project area, including waterfowl, songbirds or other landbirds. This report should include information on breeding and spring and fall migration abundance and distribution should be provided, including methods and results of surveys conducted. This report is subject to approval by the Minister of Environment and Conservation.
• The proponent is required to determine the true ecosystem value, in consultation with Environment Canada, of each wetland by using a comprehensive valuation methodology that assesses component, functional and attribute values, including their wildlife habitat potential including wildlife at risk, groundwater recharge role and potential and their role in the surface water flow regulation (storm water retention and flood control). This report is subject to approval by the Minister of Environment and Conservation.
• The proponent must prepare an Environmental Protection Plan. The plan should include mitigation measures in consultation with the Wildlife Division to protect caribou in the project area. Additionally, the plan must consider mitigation measures to ensure water and air quality. This plan must be approved by the Minister of Environment and Conservation.

UNDERTAKING WITHDRAWN:

Forest Management Districts 10, 11, 12 & 13 Five Year Operating Plan (2011-2015)
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources (Reg. 1550)

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PLAN APPROVED:

Baie Verte, Ming Copper-Gold Mine and Nugget Pond Mill
Proponent: Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited (Reg. 1487)

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 03 24             3:40 p.m.