Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Crown Districts 9 and 16 Five-Year Operating Plan
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources     (Reg. 1622)

The proponent has submitted a Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management Districts 9 and 16 (Planning Zone 7). Planning Zone 7 is located on both sides of White Bay and extends from Deer Lake in the west to Cat Arm in the north, and includes all of the Baie Verte Peninsula. The plan describes proposed forestry operations from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. In District 9, the plan includes commercial and domestic harvesting of approximately 640,000 cubic metres of timber, construction of approximately 33 kilometres of primary access roads and silviculture treatment of 3,200 hectares. In District 16, the plan includes commercial and domestic harvesting of approximately 600,000 cubic metres of timber, construction of approximately nine kilometres of primary access roads and completion of silviculture activities. This plan is proposed in order to maintain and/or expand the existing commercial industry and allow domestic wood harvesting for home heating.

The undertaking was registered on December 13, 2011; the deadline for public comments is January 25, 2012; and the minister’s decision is due by January 27, 2012.

Whitbourne Sod Farm     (Reg. 1623)
Proponent: Murphy’s Sod Farm

The proponent has submitted a proposal for the development of 109 hectares of Crown land for sod production. The farm is located on the north side of the Trans Canada Highway near Whitbourne. The farm will be developed in stages of approximately two hectares of land per year. Land clearing and operation of the farm is planned between spring and fall of 2012.

The undertaking was registered on December 15, 2011; the deadline for public comments is January 25, 2012; and the minister’s decision is due by January 29, 2012.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

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

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• No activities associated with the undertaking shall be permitted within Site 2;
• No activities associated with the undertaking shall be permitted within 50 metres from all watercourses and wetlands to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitat; and,
• Prior to spreading, manure must be dried.

Reidville Regional Exhibition Grounds and Community Gardens
Proponent: Town of Reidville     (Reg. 1609)

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 12 21             12:45 p.m.