The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:

Mary’s Harbour Breakwater (Reg. 1983)
Proponent: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours Branch

The proposed project is for the construction of a rubble mound breakwater. The breakwater will measure approximately 165 meters in length and the width will vary between approximately 10 and 30 meters. The breakwater is required to dissipate wave action in the harbour before it reaches the existing harbour infrastructure. Construction of the breakwater is expected to require 14 weeks to complete.

The undertaking was registered on September 12, 2018; the deadline for public comments is October 19, 2018; and the minister’s decision is due by October 27, 2018.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIRED:

Hope Brook Access Road (Reg. 1968)
Proponent: First Mining Gold Corporation

The minister has advised the proponent that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for this project. Additional project and baseline information requirements will have to address, but are not limited to: project scope including rationale for the project and type of road, effects on wildlife and related habitat (including wetlands), and effects on outfitters. An environmental assessment committee will be appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to prepare draft guidelines for conducting the EIS. The public will be invited to provide comment on the draft guidelines. For further information on this project, contact Eric Watton, Environmental Scientist, at (709) 729-0834 or email at ericwatton@gov.nl.ca.

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT GUIDELINES ISSUED:

Ming’s Bight (Argyle) Gold Mine (Reg.1959)
Proponent: Anaconda Mining Inc.

The minister has approved guidelines for the preparation of the environmental preview report (EPR) for the Ming’s Bight (Argyle) Gold Mine. The EPR guidelines identify the information what the proponent will be required to include in the EPR. The EPR guidelines document is available on the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment website at: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/projects/Y2018/1959/index.html

Information can be obtained by contacting the Chair of the Environmental Assessment Committee, Paul Carter, at (709) 729-0188 or by email at pcarter@gov.nl.ca.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Burin Cannabis Production Facility (Reg. 1971)
Proponent: Oceanic Releaf Inc.

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• A Women’s Employment Plan for this project shall be submitted to and approved by the Women’s Policy Office prior to construction. Contracted companies must be informed during the tendering process to submit a Women’s Employment Plan for the project as a requirement of successful bidding. For further information, please contact the Women’s Policy Office at (709) 729-3867.
• A comprehensive Waste Management Plan shall be submitted to, and approved by, the Pollution Prevention Division prior to the introduction of cannabis to the facility. For further information, please contact the Pollution Prevention Division at (709) 729-7012.
• Information regarding qualifications, certifications and other requirements associated with all occupations in the operations phase of the project should be submitted to the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour. For further information contact the Workforce Development Secretariat at (709) 729-0226.

CBPP Zone 6 Five-Year Operating Plan (2019-2023) (Reg. 1972)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• A Women’s Employment Plan for this project shall be submitted to and approved by the Women’s Policy Office prior to construction. Contracted companies must be informed during the tendering process to submit a Women’s Employment Plan for the project as a requirement of successful bidding. For further information, please contact the Women’s Policy Office at (709) 729-3867.
• The proponent must maintain a 15-metre undisturbed buffer around the hydrometric stations at Highlands River at Trans-Canada Highway (Station Number 02ZA002) and Grand Lake East of Grand Lake Brook (Station Number 02YK010). For further information on these stations, please contact the Water Resources Management Division at (709) 729-2563.
• The proponent must maintain a minimum 30-metre naturally vegetated buffer along all watercourses, waterbodies, and wetlands to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitat.

Northern Brook Forage and Pasture Land (Reg. 1974)
Proponent: Sunshine Investments Inc.

Learn More
Environmental Assessment Division – toll-free at 1-800-563-6181 or by mail:

Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment
West Block, Confederation Building
P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6

Public comments may be forwarded to EAprojectcomments@gov.nl.ca

Environmental assessment information: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/

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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Municipal Affairs and Environment
709-729-5449, 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca