Environment and Conservation
November 7, 2014
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
District 20 Crown Five-Year Operating Plan (2015-2019) (Reg. 1771)
Proponent: Department of Natural Resources
Forest Management District 20 (Sandwich Bay) consists of 2.2 million hectares of boreal forest, situated on the south coast of Labrador. The 2015-2019 Five-Year Operating Plan by the Department of Natural Resources proposes to harvest approximately 150,425 cubic metres of timber and construct approximately 14 kilometres of primary forest access roads. Domestic harvests are estimated at approximately 4,285 cubic metres per year and will take place in several blocks located near communities. Silviculture efforts will focus on monitoring and research activities. This undertaking is necessary to maintain the existing commercial industry and allow domestic harvest for home heating. Operations will commence upon approval and continue yearly until 2019.
The undertaking was registered on November 5, 2014; the deadline for public comments is December 12, 2014; and the minister’s decision is due by December 19, 2014.
L’Anse au Loup Diesel Plant Upgrade (Reg. 1770)
Proponent: Newfoundland & Labrador Hydro
The proponent has submitted a proposal to replace an existing 600 kilowatt diesel generator with a larger 1.8 megawatt model at the L’Anse au Loup Diesel Generating Station in southern Labrador. This proposal is in response to a June 2012 load forecast made by the Public Utilities Board that requires a capacity upgrade to ensure reliable power is available should power not be available from Hydro Quebec due to an emergency or planned maintenance. The proposal will also involve the installation of a particulate filter, a higher exhaust stack than currently exists and various pieces of equipment to facilitate the installation of a new unit. There will be no change in the generating station footprint and a new 5,000 litre diesel tank will be installed inside the plant.
The undertaking was registered on November 5, 2014; the deadline for public comments is December 12, 2104; and the minister’s decision is due by December 19, 2014.
Hughes Brook Agriculture Fruit Orchard (Reg. 1769)
Proponent: Annette George
The proponent proposes to develop 6.3 hectares of land for agriculture use including a fruit orchard, vegetable crops and a greenhouse at Hughes Brook, in western Newfoundland. The proposed agriculture development is located approximately 750 metres east of the community of Hughes Brook, on Old Man’s Pond woods road. The proposal is to clear arable areas for planting fruit orchards (ie. apple trees), vegetable crops and a small (4.6 metre by 6 metre) greenhouse. Clearing a portion of the land is proposed to begin in the spring of 2015.
The undertaking was registered on November 3, 2014; the deadline for public comments is December 12, 2014; and the minister’s decision is due by December 18, 2014.
UNDERTAKING RELEASED:
Parsons Pond Hill Area Quarry
Proponent: Jemna Snowclearing Ltd. (Reg. 1763)
The undertaking is released subject to the following condition:
- A minimum separation distance of 50 metres is to be maintained between quarry construction and operation activities and any water bodies and wetlands to protect water quality, as well as riparian aquatic species and their habitat.
UNDERTAKING WITHDRAWN:
Joe’s Lake ATV Trail
Proponent: Edward Stuckless (Reg. 1761)
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:
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 11 07 1:45 p.m.