NLIS 8
June 23, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)

Environmental Assessment Bulletin

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

(1) Grande Meadows (Frenchman�s Cove) Golf Course Expansion Amendment
Proponent: Grande Meadows Golf Course Association Inc. (Reg. 1175)

The proponent has submitted an amendment to the previous registration submitted on February 14 for a proposed expansion of the Grande Meadows Golf Course at Frenchman�s Cove from nine-holes to 18-holes. The nine-hole expansion is to be located on the peninsula of land surrounded by the Great Garnish Barasway. The amended expansion is to include: two holes (3.5 hectares of land) in Frenchman�s Cove Provincial Park on the north side; four holes (10 hectares of land) on the northwest side and adjacent to the provincial park; and, two holes (four hectares of land) to be reclaimed from the barasway on the southwest side and adjacent to the existing nine-hole golf course. The area to be reclaimed will require approximately 30,000 cubic metres of infill material. The amendment to the undertaking was registered on June 22; public comments are due by July 28; and the minister's decision is due by August 6.

(2) Lower Churchill River Exploration Project (Reg. 1201)
Proponent: Markland Resource Development Inc.

The proponent plans to conduct a bulk sampling exploration program to determine the viability of suction-dredge mining in the central channel of the Lower Churchill River. The proposed area will be downstream of Muskrat Island along the first 35 kilometres of the river. The bulk sampling program will either use an excavator on the larger shifting sandbars and/or a suction dredge in submerged areas. A maximum of 200 cubic metres will be removed from each sample site to a depth of approximately one metre below river bottom. All site work will be completed during the summer of 2005. The undertaking was registered on June 22; public comments are due by July 28; and the minister's decision is due by August 6.

The minister encourages all interested parties to become involved and to make comments known. Comments on submitted documents are invited from the public, addressed in writing to the minister, and are welcome prior to the deadline date shown.

Further information may be obtained by contacting 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

Environmental assessment information is on the government Web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/env

2005 06 23 4:10 p.m.