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:

Crown Zone 6 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2019-23) (Reg. 1984)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries and Land Resources

The proponent has submitted a proposal for a Five-Year Operating Plan for Zone 6 which includes Forest Management District 14 and 15 located on the southwestern extent of Newfoundland. The undertaking will enable the harvesting of 152,900 cubic metres of timber, construct approximately 32 kilometres of resource access road, and apply silviculture prescriptions throughout the zone within the five-year period. The undertaking is necessary to maintain the existing commercial industry and allow domestic harvest for home heating. The plan covers the period from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023.

The undertaking was registered on September 19, 2018; the deadline for public comments is October 26, 2018; and the minister’s decision is due by November 3, 2018.

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT SUBMITTED:

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

The proponent has submitted the environmental preview report (EPR) for the Ming’s Bight (Argyle) Gold Mine as required by the minister. The EPR 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.

Public comments regarding the EPR are welcome and must be received by October 24, 2018. Public comments may be sent to the Chair of the Assessment Committee, Paul Carter at (709) 729-0188 or by email at pcarter@gov.nl.ca or to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca, or they may be mailed to the address below. The minister’s decision on the EPR is due by November 2, 2018.

EIS GUIDELINES APPROVED:

Argentia Access Road Industrial Composting Facility Project (Reg. 1838)
Proponent: Metro Environmental Limited

The minister has approved the guidelines for the preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Argentia Access Road Industrial Composting Facility project. The EIS guidelines identify the information that the proponent will be required to address in preparation of the EIS. The EIS guidelines document is available on the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment website at: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/projects/Y2016/1838/index.html

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Lark Harbour Multipurpose Trail Extension (Reg. 1954)
Proponent: Lark Harbour Trail Committee Inc.

On July 25, 2018 the minister advised the proponent that an Environmental Preview Report (EPR) is required for the project. An Environmental Assessment Committee has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to prepare draft guidelines for conducting the EPR. The Environmental Assessment Committee includes representation from the following provincial and federal government agencies:

• Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment
  • Environmental Assessment Division – Committee Chairperson
• Department of Fisheries and Land Resources
• Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

Information on the environmental assessment can be found at the following web site: www.mae.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/projects/Y2018/1954/index.html

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Goobies EWS Nursery and Laydown Area (Reg. 1973)
Proponent: EWS – Engineered Wetland Solutions Ltd.

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The proponent is encouraged to primarily use native species for stocking the nursery. Prior to construction, the proponent must consult with the Forestry and Wildlife Branch to obtain a list of native species and examine the potential to use these species in both engineered wetlands and restoration projects.
• If the common reed Phragmites australis subsp. americanus is to be used in engineered wetlands, a Containment Plan must be submitted to, and approved by, Forestry and Wildlife Branch prior to wetland planting. The plan will describe measures to contain non-native plants to the nursery site and any sites where the plants will be established; as well as monitoring of those sites to ensure there are no escapes into natural ecosystems. Please contact the Forestry and Wildlife Branch at (709) 637-2423.
• Only native species are to be used in any wetland restoration activities.
• The Eurasian subspecies of the common reed (Phragmites australis subsp. australis) is not to be imported, propagated or otherwise utilized within nursery operations, wetland restoration or engineered wetland facilities.
• 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.

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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