Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment Minister Ralph Wiseman has announced the following events relative to the Environmental Assessment Act. Copies of documents may be obtained by contacting the Department of Environment 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 shown.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Amendment to Five Year Forest Operating Plan, District 16 (Taylor's Pond Area, White Bay)
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

The proponent proposes the construction of 1.5 kilometres of resource road to initiate access to 18,000 cubic metres of timber between the time of release from the environmental assessment (EA) process and April 2, 2002. The project was registered on July 20, 2001, public comments are due August 28 and the minister's decision is due September 3.

Amendment to Five-Year Forest Operating Plan, District 1 (Mahers / Middle Gull Pond)
Proponent: Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

The proponent intends to harvest blowndown and associated overmature timber in a 70-hectare area similar to areas in the approved operating plan. Access to the area over existing trails and roads has been improved by harvesting the last two years on private land known as the Whiteway Block. This harvesting will provide employment to six workers and will support a sawmill and related operations involving 20 to 30 additional positions. The proponent expects to start work immediately upon release from the EA Process. The project was registered on July 23, 2001, public comments are due August 28, and the minister's decision is due September 6.

Windmill Bight (Lumsden) Golf Course
Proponent: Windmill Bight Golf Course Inc.

The proponent intends to develop nine holes and a practice green of a planned 18-hole golf course on a 42-hectare area of grass, sand dunes, and forest in Windmill Bight Provincial Park, five km southeast of the Town of Lumsden. Construction will also involve an irrigation system, a 280 square metre maintenance / cart storage building, a 220 square metre clubhouse, an 800-m access road and a gravel parking lot for 100 vehicles. Employment will be 20 workers during construction and 15 during operation. Construction and commissioning is expected to take 24 months commencing in October 2001. The project was registered on July 23, 2001, public comments are due August 28, and the minister's decision is due September 6.


DATE OF MINISTER'S DECISION EXTENDED:

Five Year Management Plan District 4 (Terra Nova) Amendment
Proponent: Newfoundland Forest Service, Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods

The proponent has agreed to an extension of the minister's decision deadline. The minister's decision is now due on August 3, 2001.

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Resource Road Amendments to the Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management District 16
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited

The minister has released the project from environmental assessment in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Assessment Act.

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 
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6

Environmental Assessment News Releases are on the Internet at /env

2001 07 24                                                 11:05 a.m.