Environmental Assessment Bulletin

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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Pierre Pond ATV Trail             (Reg. 1687)
Proponent: Newfoundland Outdoor Adventures Inc.

The proponent intends to construct a 3.5 kilometre ATV trail from Padille Pond to Pierre Pond in central Newfoundland, 68 kilometres east of Stephenville Crossing. The trail will be partially constructed on existing skidder trails in the area and will be three to four metres wide. Construction is scheduled to will take place in the summer of 2013.

The undertaking was registered on January 21, 2013; the deadline for public comments
is February 26, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by March 7, 2013.

Forest Management Districts 4, 5, 6 & 8 – Five-Year Operating Plan (2012-16) Amendment
Proponent: Forestry and Agrifoods Agency             (Reg. 1688)

This project details an amendment to the current Five-Year Operating Plan for Forestry Management Districts 4, 5, 6 & 8 (Eastport Peninsula). The amendment concerns the establishment of domestic harvesting occurring concurrently with an experimental research regime examining the impact of domestic harvest on pine marten habitat. Harvesting will take place in Domestic Block D0528 in Forest Management District 5. Harvesting will consist of domestic sawlog and firewood operations using chainsaw, with most harvesting occurring in fall and winter and most of the wood being removed via snowmobile. The estimated annual harvest will be approximately 650 cubic metres. There will be no new road construction associated with this amendment.

The undertaking was registered on January 22, 2013; the deadline for public comments is February 26, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by March 8, 2013.

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 

2013 01 22             4:20 p.m.