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) Snows Pond Agriculture Land Drainage                                   (Reg. 1223)
Proponent: Newfoundland Hatchery Ltd.

The proponent proposes to construct 500 metres of ditching to reroute a small stream and drainage from agriculture land out of Hodge River�s drainage basin and into Snows Pond drainage basin. The poultry (layer) farm and drainage diversion site is located on the north side of the Trans Canada Highway at the Ocean Pond exit, approximately five kilometers east of the Town of Whitbourne. The interbasin water transfer is to reroute drainage for 54 hectares of land for use of fields for manure spreading and hay production. The undertaking was registered on November 1; public comments are due by December 9; and the minister's decision is due by December 16.

(2) Western Famine Forks (Grand Bank) ATV Trail                           (Reg. 1222)
Proponent: Thomas Cluett

The proponent plans to extend an existing All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trail to facilitate access to a remote cabin site south of the Grand Bank Highway near Famine Brook. Included along the 3 metre wide by 1.5 kilometre long trail will be one 3.5 metre bridge and a second bridge of less than one metre. Construction of the trail will be completed using hand tools. The undertaking was registered on November 2; public comments are due December 9; and the minister's decision is due by December 17.


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.


UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

(1) Griquet Primary Mussel Processing Plant (Reg. 1213)
Proponent; St. Anthony Basin Resources Inc. (SABRI)


(2) Pasadena / Deer Lake Resort (Golf Course and Residences) Resubmission
Proponent: Atec Industries Inc. (Reg. 1212)

The minister has released the above project also referred to as Timberland Golf Resort from further environmental assessment review subject to the following conditions:

• Prior to the onset of any construction activities on the site, the proponent must notify this department with decision regarding either of the following options:

Option A
Prior to the start of any construction activities that may impact on the water supply for Gordon�s Farm, an alternate water supply that meets with the approval of Gordon�s Farm be in place to provide a permanent water supply to Gordon�s Farm.

Option B
The portion of the project area that is located in the drainage basin for Beavertown Brook, which contains established Water Use Licences and serves as water supply for Gordon�s Farm, shall not be developed as proposed for this undertaking.

In addition to the above, the following conditions also apply:

• Prior to the onset of any construction activities on the site, the drainage basin for Beavertown Brook, which contains established Water Use Licences and serves as water supply for Gordon�s Farm, must be delineated. The delineation of the drainage basin shall be done by a professional surveyor.
   
• A Water Use Licence must be obtained from the Water Rights Section of the Water Resources Management Division of this department for any extraction of water from Deer Lake. This licence will contain provisions for the protection of water resources, the environment and all water users directly or indirectly affected by construction of the resort.
   
• An Environmental Protection Plan must be prepared and submitted for ministerial approval prior to the start of construction. This plan must include on-ground environmental protection measures to be implemented during the construction phase of the project.
   
• The Wildlife Division must be consulted prior to the onset of construction for measures on the protection of Newfoundland pine marten habitat.
   
• The matter regarding existing timber rights is to be addressed through the Crown Lands permitting process.
   
• Gender equity provisions must be included when tendering contracts and advertising positions and gender equity must be considered when awarding contracts and hiring workers.

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 11 04                                       4:50 p.m.