Environment and Climate Change
August 30, 2016
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GUIDELINES APPROVED
West Coast Soft Shell Clam Farms (Reg. 1829, 1830 and 1831)
Proponent: Mills Aquaculture Newfoundland Ltd.
The minister has approved the final guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the three West Coast Soft Shell Farm registrations. The EIS guidelines document identifies the information that the proponent, Mills Aquaculture Newfoundland Ltd., will be required to address in order to prepare the EIS.
The EIS Guidelines document is available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2016/1829/
www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2016/1830/ and
www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2016/1831/
A copy of the EIS Guidelines document can also be obtained by contacting:
Eric Watton, Project Chairperson
Department of Environment and Climate Change
Environmental Assessment Division
709-729-0834
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIRED:
Cape Ray Gold Partnership Project (Reg. 1851)
Proponent: Nordmin Resource and Industrial Engineering Ltd.
The minister has advised the proponent that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for this project. The EIS is necessary to provide information on, but not limited to:
- Air quality;
- Plans for the tailings management facility and polishing ponds;
- Surface and groundwater regimes;
- Baseline studies for a number of valued ecosystem components, e.g., fish and fish habitat, avifauna, species at risk etc.;
- Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change;
- Potential for acid generation from ore, waste rock and tailings;
- An Archaeological Impact Assessment;
- A gender, equity and diversity plan;
- A Benefits Plan.
An environmental assessment committee (EAC) will be appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and guidance regarding the information requirements to the proponent. The minister will issue guidelines to the proponent to assist with the development of the EIS. The public will be invited to provide comments on the EIS upon its submission. For further information on this project please contact Ivy Stone, Chair, EAC at 709-729-0090 or via email at ivystone@gov.nl.ca.
APPEAL SUBMITTED:
Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project (Reg. 1305)
Proponent: Nalcor Energy
On August 12, 2016, the Nunatsiavut Government submitted an appeal to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the decision to approve the Human Health Risk Assessment Plan. In accordance with Section 107 of the Environmental Protection Act the minister shall notify the appellant, in writing, of his or her decision within 30 days of receipt of the notice of appeal. The appeal is available on the Department of Environment and Climate Change website at: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2010/1305/
MINISTER'S DECISION EXTENDED:
CBPP Zone 3 Five-year Forestry Operating Plan (2017-2021) (Reg. 1853)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.
The Department of Environment and Climate Change and the proponent have agreed to extend the deadline for the minister's decision to September 30, 2016. The deadline for public comments has been extended to September 7, 2016.
UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
Lower Cove Quarry Extension (Reg. 1840)
Atlantic Minerals Limited
The project was released from further environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:
- Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the proponent is required to prepare and submit to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for approval a Species at Risk Impacts Mitigation and Monitoring Plan to provide protection for listed species (i.e. Lindley's Aster), to the greatest extent possible, through avoidance measures and mitigation of the impacts resulting from authorized activities, as well as to monitor the effects of authorized activities on listed species at risk. Approval of this plan by the minister will be a precondition to an Economic Activity Permit which may be issued under Section 19 of the Endangered Species Act subject to approval by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.
- Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the proponent is required to prepare and submit to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Municipal Affairs for approval a Groundwater Monitoring Plan.
- Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the proponent must submit a Women's Employment Plan for the project to the Women's Policy Office that meets the approval of the deputy minister.
- Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the proponent must submit to the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour additional information on workforce and timelines for the project. For further information, please contact the Skills and Labour Market Research Division at (709)729-5670.
- Prior to the commencement of construction activities, the proponent is required to prepare and submit to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for approval an Environmental Protection Plan with Avian Management included.
Badger Area Quarry (Reg. 1841)
Proponent: KDJ Enterprises Ltd.
The project was released from further environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:
- Quarry operations can only be conducted on weekdays and only between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and no operations are to occur between June 15 and September 15.
- A 50-metre naturally vegetated buffer must be maintained around all water bodies and wetlands to protect any sensitive habitat.
- The quarry must operate under a Quarry Lease.
Replacement of St. Vincent's Breakwater (Reg. 1849)
Proponent: Town of St. Vincent's-St. Stephen's-Peter's River
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 Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NLA1B 4J6
Public comments may be forwarded to EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca
Environmental assessment information is on the department website at: www.gov.nl.ca/env
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Media contact:
| Emily Timmins
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Climate Change 709-729-2575, 693-1292 emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca |
2016 08 30 3:20 p.m.