Environment and Conservation
July 8, 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:

Forest Management Districts 5 and 6 Five-Year Operating Plan (2012-2016)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (Reg. 1595)

The passing of Bill 75 resulted in the expropriation and return to Crown all timber lands associated with Forest Management Districts (FMDs) 4,5,6 and 8 (Planning Zone 3), previously vested to Abitibi-Bowater. With the return of these timber lands to the Crown, it was the Department of Natural Resources position that the management of these lands would be consistent with the strategies and philosophies in effect in all other Crown managed districts in the province. Planning Zone 3 encompasses FMDs 4, 5, 6 and 8 and extends from Seal Bay in the northwest, easterly along the coast to New-Wes-Valley in the northeast, then southerly to Terra Nova National Park in the east than then west along the northern edge of Bay Du’ Nord Wilderness Area to the general area of the Bay d’Espoir Highway near Great Gull Lake. The plan describes past activities in the districts, the proposed allocation of wood supply and forest harvesting, silviculture, forest road construction, forest protection, environmental protection measures and monitoring activities. A total of approximately 750,000 cubic metres of timber is scheduled to be harvested by the proponent in Zone 3 over the next five years, along with the construction of 124 kilometres of new primary forest access roads.

The undertaking was registered on July 7, 2011; the deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by August 20, 2011.

Forest Management Districts 9 and 16 Five-Year Operating Plan (2012-2016)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited (Reg. 1594)

The proponent submitted a Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management Districts 9 and 16 (Planning Zone 7). The area extends from Deer Lake in the west to Cat Arm in the north and includes all of the Baie Verte Peninsula. The Five-Year Plan describes proposed forestry operations from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. The plan describes past activities in the districts, the proposed allocation of wood supply and forest harvesting, silviculture, forest road construction, forest protection, environmental protection measures and monitoring activities. A total of approximately one million cubic metres of timber is scheduled to be harvested by the proponent in the districts over the next five years, along with the establishment of 147 kilometres of new primary forest access roads.

The undertaking was registered on July 7, 2011; the deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by August 20, 2011.

Forest Management Districts 10, 11,12 and 13: Crown Five-Year Operating Plan (2011-2015) - Resubmission
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources (Reg. 1593)

The passing of Bill 75 resulted in the expropriation and return to Crown all timber lands associated with Forest Management Districts (FMDs) 10, 11, 12 and 13, previously vested to Abitibi-Bowater. With the return of these timber lands to the Crown, it was the Department of Natural Resources position that the management of these lands would be consistent with the strategies and philosophies in effect in all other crown managed districts in the province. This plan which covers the period January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015 reflects these changes and will replace the 2008-2012 plan previously prepared by Abitibi-Bowater for this area. Planning Zone 5 encompasses FMDs 10, 11, 12 and 13. It is located in central Newfoundland and extends from Victoria Lake in the west to the Bay d’Espoir highway in the east and from Island Pond in the south to North and South Twin Lakes in the north. Major towns located within the zone are Bishop’s Falls, Grand Falls-Windsor, Badger, Millertown and Buchans. Approximately 2.4 million cubic metres of timber are scheduled to be harvested. Harvesting activities will include pulpwood, sawlog and fuelwood using chainsaws and mechanical harvesters. Skidders may be used for some slope harvesting and chainsaws for domestic harvesting. Approximately 200 kilometres of primary forest access roads will be constructed over the five-year operating plan.

The undertaking was registered on July 7, 2011; the deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by August 20, 2011.

Snows Pond/Ocean Pond Agriculture Forage Land
Proponent: Munn Poultry Farm Limited (Reg. 1592)

The proponent proposes to develop approximately 33 hectares of land for forage production in the Snows Pond/Ocean Pond area near Whitbourne. The proposed forage land is divided into three sections and is situated on both sides of the Trans Canada Highway. The development of forage fields will require the removal of all vegetation including stumps and stones, leveling, addition of soil amendments and planting of forage seeds for grasses, legumes and corn. Land clearing is proposed to begin in fall of 2011 and continue over a five to 10 year period.

The undertaking was registered on July 4, 2011; the deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011; and, the minister’s decision is due by August 18, 2011.

Beaver Pond Cottage Development
Proponent: Department of Environment and Conservation (Reg. 1591)

The undertaking consists of the development of 40 new cottage lots with associated road construction within the Beaver Pond Cottage Development Area. The 206 hectare site is located within the municipal planning area of the Town of Placentia. The proposed site is approximately four kilometres south of the intersection of the Argentia Access Road and Long Hill Road. The proposed development will address the growing demand for cottage lots on the Avalon and will ensure development occurs in a safe and environmentally-sound manner. Development will take place as part of a planned cottage strategy and will occur in such a manner that the land base and surrounding environment will be preserved for the enjoyment of present and future users.

The undertaking was registered on July 4, 2011; the deadline for public comments is August 12, 2011; and the minister’s decision is due by August 18, 2011.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Forteau Municipal Park, Forteau River
Proponent: Town of Forteau (Reg. 1570)

The undertaking was released from further environmental assessment subject to the following condition:

• A minimum 30 metre naturally vegetated buffer must be maintained from the Forteau River (First Pond). No new clearing may be completed within this 30 metre buffer.
  
  

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 07 08             12:45 p.m.