Environment and Conservation
September 16, 2015
Environmental Assessment Bulletin
The Honourable Dan Crummell, Minister of Environment and Conservation, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
Diversion and Dewatering of Luce Lake North, Labrador West (Reg. 1810)
Proponent: Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC)
The proponent has submitted a proposal to dewater and divert inflows away from Luce Lake North, directly adjacent to Luce Pit, at its Labrador West mine site. This work will be accomplished by constructing three diversion channels, a low dam and by pumping down the lake. IOC considers that complete dewatering and diversion of inflows away from Luce Lake North is the best option to improve Luce Pit dewatering, minimize potential effects on downstream aquatic habitat, and to minimize safety and operational risks for continued mining in Luce Pit. The project will also involve the relocation of fish from Luce Lake North, measures to offset serious harm to fish and fish habitat as a result of project activities, relocation of groundwater discharges from Luce Pit, controlled dewatering of Luce Lake North and the installation and maintenance of a sump pump system in the Luce Lake North basin to manage groundwater infiltration, surface water inflows and snowmelt runoff.
The undertaking was registered on September 10, 2015; the deadline for public comments is October 21, 2015; and the minister's decision is due by October 25, 2015.
Georgetown Blueberry Farm (Reg. 1811)
Proponent: Hayes' U-Pick Blueberry Farm Ltd.
The proponent has submitted a proposal to develop a blueberry farm in the community of Georgetown, near Marysvale, Conception Bay North. The project includes the clearing of existing blueberry bushes and forest over a five-year period with a total of 52.5 hectares of blueberry fields developed. Approximately 10 hectares of land will be cleared each year by cutting forest and burning old blueberry bushes to rebuild the crop. Timber cut on the site will be used to construct a fence around the property. An existing gravel road surrounds most of the property and will be used to access the fields. Construction and clearing will begin upon receipt of all approvals.
The undertaking was registered on September 15, 2015; the deadline for public comments is October 21, 2015; and the minister's decision is due by October 29, 2015.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT SUBMITTED:
Fermeuse Offshore Marine Base (Reg. 1773)
Proponent: Fermeuse Enterprises Limited (FEL)
The proponent has submitted an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) for the above undertaking. The EPR is required to provide additional information including, but not limited to mitigative measures that will be implemented to minimize the potential effects of the project on community life, municipal infrastructure, the surrounding socioeconomic environment and areas of archaeological interest.
The EPR can be viewed on the Department's website, as follows: www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2014/1773/index.html
Public comments regarding the EPR are welcome and may be submitted by email to joannesweeney@gov.nl.ca or by regular mail to:
Joanne Sweeney
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
PO Box 8700
St. John's NL A1B 4J6
Email: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
The deadline for public comments is October 21, 2015. The minister will provide the proponent with a decision regarding the acceptability of the EPR by October 29, 2015. For further information on this project contact the Chair of the Environmental Assessment Committee, Joanne Sweeney, at 709-729-2822 or by email as noted above.
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, NLA1B 4J6
Public comments can be sent to EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca
Environmental assessment information is on the department website at: www.gov.nl.ca/env
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Media contact:
| Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications Department of Environment and Conservation 709-729-2575, 689-8605 JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca |
2015 09 16 12:20 p.m.