Environment and Conservation
July 7, 2016
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
Cape Ray Gold Partnership Project (Reg. 1851)
Proponent: Nordmin Resource and Industrial Engineering Ltd.
The proponent, in a joint venture agreement with Benton Resources Inc., has submitted a proposal to develop, operate, decommission and reclaim a gold and silver mine, mill and processing operation at their Cape Ray exploration site, located southwest of the Isle aux Morts River and approximately 20 kilometres north of Isle aux Morts and 30 kilometres north of Port aux Basques. The Isle aux Morts River, a scheduled salmon river, flows through the four mineable deposits and the footprint of the mineable area is approximately 18 square kilometres. Open pit and underground operations would be developed over a six-year mine life and associated infrastructure includes improving an existing 22 kilometre access road, installation of temporary mobile trailers, a power generation plant with an associated fuel farm, a sanitation system, a milling complex, a tailings management facility, a waste rock and ore storage area and other support services.
The undertaking was registered on July 4, 2016; the deadline for public comments is August 11, 2016; and the minister�s decision is due by August 18, 2016.
Crown Forest Mgt. Amendment Zone 8 (Districts 17 & 18) (Reg. 1852)
Proponent: Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
The proponent proposes a timber harvesting amendment to six domestic cutting blocks for the Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management Planning Zone 8 (Districts 17 & 18) on the Northern Peninsula. Over the past three years, the Northern Peninsula has experienced extreme wind storms. This has resulted in significant areas of blown down timber. This amendment is proposed to open up significant areas of blow down for domestic harvesting. It is estimated that approximately 12,804 cubic metres of softwood and 1,280 cubic metres of hardwood would be harvested over the duration of this five-year plan which ends on December 31, 2017.
The undertaking was registered on July 6, 2016; the deadline for public comments is August 11, 2016; and the minister�s decision is due by August 20, 2016.
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GUIDELINES:
Big Triangle Pond Mineral Exploration and Access Road (Reg. 1725)
Proponent: Eagleridge International Limited
The proposed Big Triangle Pond Mineral Exploration and Access Road Project on the Avalon Peninsula is undergoing a provincial environmental assessment and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The Environmental Assessment Committee has prepared draft EIS guidelines that identify the information that must be included in the EIS. The public is invited to review these guidelines and provide written comments by August 16, 2016. Comments received will be reviewed and considered before the EIS guidelines are finalized and issued to the proponent.
More information on the project is available on the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment and Conservation website at: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/projects_list.html (Registration 1725).
Written comments must be submitted by August 16, 2016 to:
Brent Keeping, Project EA Chair
Department of Environment and Conservation
Environmental Assessment Division
West Block, Confederation Building
PO Box 8700
St. John�s NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-4223
Fax: 709-729-5518
EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
MINISTER�S DECISION EXTENDED:
Lower Cove Quarry Extension (Reg. 1840)
Proponent: Atlantic Minerals Limited
The Department of Environment and Conservation and the proponent have agreed to extend the deadline for the minister�s decision to July 20, 2016.
PROJECT RELEASED:
Sand & Gravel Quarry Operation Near Piper's Hole River (Reg. 1837)
Proponent: Dean Clarke�s Contracting
The project is released subject to the following conditions:
- Where applicable, a minimum 50-metre naturally vegetated buffer shall be maintained along all waterbodies and wetlands to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species, and their habitat. This buffer shall not be used to stockpile overburden;
- To minimize habitat disturbance to birds and small mammals, any necessary vegetation clearing or excessive noise should be undertaken outside of the nesting, breeding and brood rearing period (May to mid-July), when disturbance would be most critical.
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, 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 Conservation
709-729-2575, 693-1292
emilytimmins@gov.nl.ca
2016 07 07 12:00 p.m.