March 28, 2013
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:
Flat Bay Petroleum Exploration Wells and Access Road (Reg. 1702)
Proponent: Investcan Energy Corp.
The proponent has submitted a proposal to construct an access road and drill pads to drill one (with the option to drill a second) oil and gas exploration well. The exploration wells, known as Thoulet #1 and Thoulet #2 will be located on Crown land approximately seven kilometres south-southwest of the community of Flat Bay and 1.5 to 2.5 kilometres northwest of the Trans Canada Highway (TCH). The access road will require connection to the TCH and will proceed in a general northwesterly direction to the well sites. The exploration wells will be drilled under a Drilling Program Approval (DPA) and an Authorization to Drill a Well (ADW), as regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. There are no plans to introduce injection fluids to stimulate production on a continuous basis, however, routine work-over programs, such as acidizing may or may not be deemed necessary. Matrix acidizing is the process of pumping fluids, below frac-pressure, in an effort to dissolve limestone, dolomite and calcite. It is anticipated that a minimum of 50 days will be required to complete the two targeted 2000 metre deep wells. A groundwater monitoring program will also be implemented.
The undertaking was registered on March 25, 2013; the deadline for public comments is May 2, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by May 9, 2013.
Harbour Arterial Mineral Workings Area Expansion (Reg. 1703)
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources
The proponent intends to expand a large bedrock aggregate quarry site near St. John’s to meet an anticipated demand for construction materials. The Harbour Arterial Mineral Workings Area was zoned as mineral workings by the City of St. John’s in the 1970s. The expansion area is approximately 72 hectares in size. Major physical features of the undertaking will include open pit aggregate operations, laydown areas, garages, crushers and asphalt plants. Construction is anticipated to take place in the fall of 2014, pending required rezoning by the City of St. John’s.
The undertaking was registered on March 27, 2013; the deadline for public
comments
is May 2, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by May 11, 2013.
Gear Pond Aggregate Quarry
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources (Reg. 1704)
The proponent intends to establish a new bedrock aggregate quarry site at Gear Pond, south of the Trans Canada Highway near St. John’s. The proposed quarry area is approximately 400 hectares in size and will be used to meet an anticipated demand for construction materials. Major physical features of the undertaking will include open pit aggregate operations, laydown areas, garages, crushers and asphalt plants. Construction is anticipated to take place in the fall of 2014, pending required rezoning by the City of St. John’s.
The undertaking was registered on March 27, 2013; the deadline for public
comments
is May 2, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by May 11, 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 03 28 2:40 p.m.