January 10, 2014
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Joan Shea, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
Burin Peninsula Five Mile Pond Area ATV Trail (Reg. 1736)
Proponent: Calvin Eddy and Henry Fiander
The proponent has submitted a proposal to construct a 2.2 kilometre ATV trail that will start south of North Harbour intersection on Route 210, Burin Peninsula Highway, and run due north to two cabins. The proposed trail will be constructed by clearing low brush and corduroying wet areas. No heavy equipment will be used to construct the trail with all work being done with hand tools such as chain saws and axes.
The undertaking was registered on January 9, 2014; the deadline for public comments is February 14, 2014; and the minister’s decision is due by February 23, 2014.
District 2 - Crown Five-Year Operating Plan (2012-2016) Amendment
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources (Reg. 1737)
The Department of Natural Resources proposes an amendment to the current Crown Five-Year Operating Plan for Forestry Management District 2 (Harvest Block C0224). This harvest block is located on Crown land approximately six kilometres south of the community of Lethbridge. The proposed amendment will provide continued access to Harvest Block C0224 and an additional 178 hectares of forested land and 15,170 cubic metres of harvestable timber northwest of Big Pond that was heavily disturbed due to past practices and in need of remedial harvesting. The amendment includes 3.2 kilometres of primary access road construction, 0.5 kilometres of which was approved in the Five-Year Operating Plan.
The undertaking was registered on January 9, 2014; the deadline for public comments is February 14, 2014; and the minister’s decision is due by February 23, 2014.
UNDERTAKING RELEASED:
Kami Iron Ore Project (Reg. 1611)
Proponent: Kami Mine Limited Partnership (formerly Alderon Iron Ore Corp.)
On January 10, 2014, the Minister of Environment and Conservation informed Kami Mine Limited Partnership (Kami Mine LP) that under the authority of Section 67(3) (a) of the Environmental Protection Act SNL 2002, cE-14.2, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council has released the Kami Iron Ore Project from further environmental assessment, subject to the following terms and conditions:
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall adhere to all mitigation, monitoring and commitments stated in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted October 1, 2012, and the additional Amendments submitted February 15, 2013, and June 27, 2013, and any other supporting documentation derived through the environmental assessment process;
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall prepare a general Environmental Protection Plan for all applicable construction and operation activities and submit the Environmental Protection Plan to the Minister of Environment and Conservation, and receive the minister’s approval for the Environmental Protection Plan, prior to the start of construction;
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall prepare an Environmental Protection Plan for the following Project Valued Ecosystem Components and submit the Environmental Protection Plan to the Minister of Environment and Conservation, and receive the Minister’s approval for the Plan, prior to the start of construction. The Environmental Protection Plan will be developed in order to minimize disturbance and mitigate potential effects on Valued Ecosystem Components during project construction and operation. The Environmental Protection Plan will cover the following Valued Ecosystem Components:
- Wetlands
- Avifauna (including listed species that occur within western Labrador)
- Other wildlife
- Species of conservation concern (including Lac Joseph Caribou, George River Caribou, Bats and rare and uncommon plants);
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall prepare Environmental Effects
Monitoring Plans for the following Valued Ecosystem Components, in
consultation with the Wildlife Division and submit them to the Minister of
Environment and Conservation, and receive the minister’s approval for the
Environmental Effects Monitoring Plans, prior to the start of construction.
The Environmental Effects Monitoring Plans will be developed to monitor
effects as a result of the project and to ensure that any changes to
existing baseline as a result of project effects are documented and
mitigated against:
- Wetlands
- Avifauna (including listed species that occur within western Labrador)
- Other wildlife
- Species of Conservation Concern (including Lac Joseph Caribou, George River Caribou, Bats and rare and uncommon plants);
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall prepare a Benefits Plan in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Finance and submit it to the Minister of Natural Resources and the Minister of Finance, and receive the approval of both ministers prior to construction; and
- Kami Mine Limited Partnership shall prepare a Real-Time Monitoring Network Agreement in consultation with the Water Resources Management Division and submit the Real-Time Monitoring Network Agreement to the Minister of Environment and Conservation, and receive the minister’s approval for the Real-Time Monitoring Network Agreement prior to the start of construction.
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:
Deborah Thomas
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 728-8092
DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca
2014 01 10 11:15 a.m.