Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment and Labour Minister Kevin Aylward has announced the following events relative to the Environmental Assessment Act. In the case of documents received or approved, copies may be obtained by contacting the regional office of the Department of Environment and Labour or by calling toll-free 1-800-563-6181. Comments on submitted documents are invited from the public, addressed in writing to the minister, and are welcome prior to the deadline date following each item.

NEW UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

• Voisey's Bay Exploration Support Works (1997)
  Proponent: Voisey's Bay Nickel Company Limited

The proponent wishes to further develop physical infrastructure to support continuing exploration activity at Voisey's Bay, Labrador. The undertaking includes an 11.5 km long single-lane access road connecting the two existing exploration camps at Camp Pond and Anaktalak Bay, and a 917 metre long on-site airstrip to the north of Camp Pond. Borrow pits and quarries will be located as close as possible to the road to minimize haul road construction. The document was registered on May 22, 1997, public comments are due on June 21, 1997 and the minister's decision and response to the proponent is due on July 5, 1997.

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEES APPOINTED:

• 1. Long Harbour Thermal Power Generation Facility
  Proponent: Newtide Resources Inc.

  2. Come By Chance Cogeneration Power Project
  Proponent: North Atlantic Refining Limited (NARL)

  3. Combined Cycle Generating Unit at the Holyrood Generating Station
  Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

  4. Holyrood 1V Thermal Generating Unit (Resubmission)
  Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

The committees will be represented by the following provincial and federal agencies:

• Environmental Assessment Division - Environment and Labour
  Pollution Prevention Division - Environment and Labour
  Marine Environment and Habitat Management Division - Fisheries and Oceans
  Wildlife Division - Forest Resources and Agrifoods
  Environmental Protection - Environment Canada
  Eastern Nfld. Regional Community Health - Health
  Urban and Rural Planning Division - Municipal and Provincial Affairs
  Parks and Natural Areas Division - Tourism, Culture and Recreation

  5. Argentia Multiple Gas Turbine (GTS) Power Project
  Proponent: Duke Energy Corporation

  6. Argentia Cogeneration Power Project
  Proponent: Sithe Canadian Holdings Incorporated

The environmental assessment committees for the two Argentia projects will have representation from the aforementioned committees and in addition by:

• Water Resources Division - Environment and Labour
  Soils and Land Management Division - Forest Resources and Agrifoods

The minister has appointed these Environmental Assessment Committees pursuant to Subsection 2 of Section 22 of The Environmental Assessment Act, RSN 1990, c. E-14 to advise him on scientific and technical matters related to the projects and to prepare technical and scientific reports.

A guide to the Environmental Assessment Process is available from the Department of Environment and Labour. The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Director of Environmental Assessment at, (709) 729-2562 or toll-free: 1-800-563- 6181 or by mail to:

• Director, Environmental Assessment Division
  Department of Environment and Labour
  West Block, Confederation Building
  P.O. Box 8700
  St. John's, NF
  A1B 4J6

  Environmental Assessment News Releases are on the Internet //www.gov.nl.ca/envlab/env_news.htm