Environment and Conservation
August 27, 2013

Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
 
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Hawkins Brook ATV Trail                                                      (Reg. 1720)
Proponent:  Mark Collins
 
The proposal involves the construction of a 1.7 kilometre ATV trail from the existing North West Pond Multi-use Trail to the proponent’s cabin located at Hawkins Brook. The area under development is within the municipal boundaries of both the towns of Fortune and Grand Bank. Construction of the trail is to be completed using a small track excavator and a qualified contractor will be hired for bridge construction and remaining development.  Construction is expected to take one week and be completed by November 2013.
 
The undertaking was registered on August 27, 2013; the deadline for public comments is October 1, 2013; and the minister's decision is due October 10, 2013.
 
Cormack Mink Farm Expansion                                             (Reg. 1719)
Proponent: Na-tallie Ranch Ltd.
 
The proponent plans to construct an expansion to the existing mink farm located at the end of Birch Avenue in the municipality of Cormack. Six new mink sheds and a storage/lunch room building will be constructed in two phases starting in 2013 and ending in November 2014. Each shed will have an automatic manure system to transport manure to pits, where it will be trucked off-site for use by local dairy farmers. Capacity of the farm will be increased from the existing 2,500 female breeders to 15,000 female breeders.
 
The undertaking was registered on August 26, 2013; the deadline for public comments is October 1, 2013; and the minister’s decision is due by October 10, 2013.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Wabush 3 Open Pit Mine Project                                          (Reg. 1711)
Proponent: Iron Ore Company of Canada

On July 23, 2013, the Minister advised the proponent that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required for this project. An Environmental Assessment Committee has now been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the Minister and to prepare draft guidelines for conducting the EIS. The Assessment Committee has representation from the following provincial and federal government agencies:

• Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Environmental Assessment Division – Committee Chairperson
  • Pollution Prevention Division
  • Water Resources Management Division
  • Wildlife Division
• Women’s Policy Office
• Advanced Education and Skills
• Natural Resources
• Health and Community Services
• Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat
• Municipal Affairs
• Transportation and Works
• Environment Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Transport Canada
• Health Canada

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:
 
Argentia Wellhead Platform for White Rose Extension               (Reg. 1665)
Proponent: Husky Energy

The Minister of Environment and Conservation following review of comments from the public and recommendation from the Assessment Committee has determined that the environmental assessment (EA) report and Addendum for the above project is considered satisfactory and the project is released from further environmental assessment, subject to the following conditions:

• A Groundwater Monitoring Plan must be submitted to and approved by the Minister of Environment and Conservation prior to the start of dewatering of the Graving Dock site.
• The 2007 White Rose Expansion Project Framework Agreement must be amended to include benefit requirements for the Wellhead Platform Project as negotiated with the Province. These amendments must be finalized and approved by the Minister of Natural Resources prior to the commencement of any construction activities.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for the environmental assessment of the entire project that is being conducted under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will provide a decision on that assessment in due course. 
 
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
 
Environmental assessment information is on the department website - www.gov.nl.ca/env
 
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Media contact:

Deborah Thomas Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575; 728-8092 DeborahThomas@gov.nl.ca

 
 
2013 08 27                                        2:35 p.m.