The Honourable Derek Bennett, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
UNDERTAKING REGISTERED:
Hopeall Abattoir (Reg. 2105)
Proponent: Kettle Hill Farm
The proponent is proposing to construct and operate an abattoir at its existing farm, Kettle Hill Farm, located on Route 80 near the community of Hopeall, Trinity Bay. The abattoir will operate year-round and provide services to local farmers.
The undertaking was registered on October 27, 2020; the deadline for public comments is December 3, 2020; and the minister’s decision is due by December 11, 2020.
UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
Junction Brook Quarry (Reg. 2097)
Proponent: Rodney’s Contracting Ltd.
The project was released subject to the following conditions:
- The proponent is required to uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada recommends that in order to avoid nest destruction and to accommodate the breeding season of migratory songbirds and waterfowl, operations should consider nesting locations between April 15 and August 15 in this region.
- The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
- a minimum 30-metre undisturbed buffer must be maintained along all waterbodies and wetlands that appear on a 1:50,000 topographical map to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species, and their habitat; and,
- no vegetation clearing is to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and 200 metres during the remainder of the year; the 200-metre buffer also applies to all other raptor nests (e.g. Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl, Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl); and, the location of any raptor nest site must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
- The Mines Branch of the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology indicates that a section of the proposed access route is not acceptable because it would limit the ability to resume quarrying of the face that has been excavated immediately beneath a section of that route. Instead, the proponent is to use the route provided by the department.
- A Water Resources Management Plan must be prepared and submitted to the Water Resources Management Division for review and approval, prior to commencing any work related to this project. The Water Resources Management Plan should address the following concerns:
- If there are any brooks, rivers, ponds, streams or wetlands present in or within 30 metres of the boundaries of the project site, then please provide the type of water body and its distance from the site;
- If any of the above-mentioned water bodies are impacted by site operations, describe how the water body will be impacted. A permit/licence from the Water Resources Management Division may be required; and,
- If there is any potential for onsite drainage water or dewatering water to discharge into a natural water body, describe the measures that are to be deployed, such as the establishment of vegetative cover, filter strip or silt curtain to ensure the effluent or runoff meets the requirements of the Environmental Control Water and Sewage Regulations, 2003.
- The proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when each of the conditions of release has been met, by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.
- The proponent is required to update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates, if requested.
Windmill Bight Power Line Installation (Reg 2100)
Proponent: Newfoundland Power Inc.
The project was released subject to the following conditions:
- The proponent is required to uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
- The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
- a minimum 30-metre undisturbed buffer is maintained along all waterbodies and wetlands that appear on a 1:50,000 topographical map to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species, and their habitat;
- no vegetation clearing is to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) and 200 metres during the remainder of the year; the 200-metre buffer also applies to all other raptor nests (e.g. Northern Goshawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Great-horned Owl, Boreal Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl); and, the location of any raptor nest site must be reported to the Wildlife Division.
- The proponent is required to advise the Environmental Assessment Division when each of the conditions of release has been met, by emailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.
- The proponent is required to update the Environmental Assessment Division on the status of the project, including a copy of all permits, licences, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates, if requested.
Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities
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.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/
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Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities
709-729-5449; 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca