Environment and Climate Change
February 10, 2017

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 PREVIEW REPORT SUBMITTED:

Colinet-Rocky River Zip Line and Adventure Park        (Reg. 1752)
Proponent: Mr. Trevor Linehan

The proponent has submitted an environmental preview report (EPR) for the above undertaking as required by the minister. The EPR document is available on the department’s website at the link below:
www.ecc.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/projects/Y2014/1752/index.html.

The public is invited to review the report and to provide comments to the Department of Environment and Climate Change by March 17, 2017. Public comments may be emailed to the Chair of the environmental assessment committee, Brenda Rowe, at browe@gov.nl.ca or to EAProjectsComments@gov.nl.ca, or may be mailed to the address below.


Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NL A1B 4J6

The minister’s EPR decision is due by March 27, 2017.

MINISTER’S DECISION EXTENDED:

Harbour Breton Fish Meal Plant        (Reg. 1874)
Proponent: Barry Group Inc.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change and the proponent have agreed to extend the deadline for the minister’s decision to February 15, 2017.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

CBPP Zone 3 Five-year Forestry Operating Plan (2017-2021)        (Reg. 1853)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

The project is released subject to the following condition:

  • CBPP is required to provide a view scape assessment, approved by Strategic Tourism Product Development Division, that demonstrates that the integrity of the views in FMD 5 of the proposed cut blocks identified as Little Harbour and Butts Pond along the Trans Canada Highway and Jonathan’s Pond along Route 330 are maintained prior to forestry operations in those areas.

CBPP Zone 7 Five-year Forestry Operating Plan (2017–2021)        (Reg. 1854)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd.

The project is released subject to the following condition:

  • CBPP is required to provide a view scape assessment, approved by Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, that demonstrates that the integrity of the views in FMD 16 that may be visible from the Trans Canada Highway identified as Angle Pond (Route 420), Sandy Lake, Birchy Narrows and Sheffield Lake and in FMD 9 which include: Main Brook and Lynx Pond are maintained prior to forestry operations in those areas.

Crown 5-Year Operating Plan for Zone 1 (2017-2021)        (Reg. 1863)
Proponent: Forest Service, Dept. Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

  • A draft document that details a plan for the development and implementation of best management practices for avifauna management relative to forestry operations in Newfoundland and Labrador shall be submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for review and approval by April 30, 2017. This document will outline a more specific plan that includes both short and longterm goals.
  • Stand level maps are required to be submitted to the Wildlife Division of this Department in Domestic harvest block CC01547 (Southeast River) and Commercial harvest blocks CC01002 (Tower Road) and CC01015 (Mushroom Gully) prior to any activity taking place. These maps will inform any required pre-harvest surveys and buffering requirements for Boreal Felt Lichen (Erioderma pedicellatum) prior to harvesting.
  • A minimum of a 100 metre undisturbed naturally vegetated buffer must be maintained between the southern boundary of domestic harvesting block CC01573a (Cappahayden) and the Cape Race Access Road.
  • The proponent must conduct a viewshed analysis, including sightlines from the CapeRace Access Road and from the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, which will minimize any negative visual effects of cutting activity in the southern extent of CC01573a (Cappahayden).
  • The proponent must consult with the local communities of Trepassey and Portugal Cove
    South regarding the domestic harvest block CC01573a (Cappahayden) near Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve.

Crown 5-Year Operating Plan for Zone 2 (2017-2021)        (Reg. 1865)
Proponent: Forest Service, Dept. Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods

The project is released subject to the following condition:

  • A draft document that details a plan for the development and implementation of best management practices for avifauna management relative to forestry operations in Newfoundland and Labrador shall be submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for review and approval by April 30, 2017. This document will outline a more specific plan that includes both short and longterm goals.

Forest Management District 22 Five-Year Operating Plan (2017-2021) (Reg. 1870)
Proponent: Forest Service, Dept. Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods

The project is released subject to the following condition:

  • A draft document that details a plan for the development and implementation of best management practices for avifauna management relative to forestry operations in Newfoundland and Labrador shall be submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for review and approval by April 30, 2017. This document will outline a more specific plan that includes both short and longterm goals.

Crown Five-Year Operating Plan for Zone 7 (2017-2021)        (Reg. 1871)
Proponent: Forest Service, Dept. Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

  • No domestic or commercial harvesting will occur within 100 metres of all provincial parks, including the T’Railway Provincial Park;
  • A minimum 30 metre undisturbed buffer is to be maintained between operations and any surrounding watercourse or water body;
  • Tree screens of 30 metres will be maintained between roadways and forestry operations to conceal operations from public view;
  • Operations, including silviculture activities, will follow the mitigation commitments for wildlife and wildlife habitat as outlined in the 5 year forest operating management plan and as committed to by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agrifoods (FFA) during the environmental assessment review of this undertaking. These mitigation commitments include restrictions during sensitive lifecycle periods and cutblock boundary amendments. Please contact the Wildlife Division, Department of Environment and Climate Change at 709-637-2029 for further information.
  • A draft document that details a plan for the development and implementation of best management practices for avifauna management relative to forestry operations in Newfoundland and Labrador shall be submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for review and approval by April 30, 2017. This document will outline a more specific plan that includes both short and longterm goals.

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

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:

Chrysta Collins
Media Relations Manager
Department of Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5783, 690-4436
ChrystaCollins@gov.nl.ca

2017 02 10                              2:50 p.m.