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:

Parson’s Pond Four Ponds ATV Trail                                                 (Reg. 2113)
Proponent: Roberts’ Outfitting Ltd.

The proponent is proposing to construct a 1 kilometre ATV trail, approximately 25 kilometres south east of Parson’s Pond in the Main River Waterway Provincial Park. The ATV trail would be constructed between the Nalcor Transmission Line and Four Ponds Outfitting Camp. The proponent is proposing to construct the trail to be able to access Four Ponds Outfitting Camp.

The undertaking was registered on December 16, 2020; the deadline for public comments is January 21, 2021; and, the minister’s decision is due by January 30, 2021.

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT REQUIRED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Hopeall Abattoir                                                                                          (Reg. 2105)
Proponent:  Kettle Hill Farm

The minister has advised the proponent that an environmental preview report (EPR) is required for this project. Additional information is needed to inform the minister of the potential environmental impacts, including, but not limited to: details on how organic waste generated by the proposed undertaking will be managed; an evaluation of the proposal to bury all solid organic waste; an evaluation of composting or other viable organic waste management solutions as an alternative to burial; an assessment of the use of a septic field for the treatment of wastewater and blood; and, a comprehensive groundwater monitoring plan that includes but is not limited to leachate control and specified risk material management.

 An Environmental Assessment Committee has been appointed to provide specific and technical advice to the minister and to draft guidelines for the proponent conducting the EPR. The Environmental Assessment Committee includes representation from the following provincial government agencies:

• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities
  • Environmental Assessment Division – Committee Chair
  • Pollution Prevention Division
  • Water Resources Management Division
• Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
  • Agriculture Division
• Department of Digital Government and Service NL
  • Government Service Centre

ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT GUIDELINES ISSUED:

Salmonier Line Cottage Development                                                 (Reg. 1958)
Proponent: Gerbar Holdings Inc.

The minister has approved the final guidelines for the preparation of the environmental preview report (EPR) for the Salmonier Line Cottage Development project. The EPR guidelines identify the information that the proponent will be required to include in the EPR. The EPR guidelines document is available on the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities website at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/projects/project-1958/ or by contacting the Chair of the Assessment Committee, Paul Carter at (709) 729-0188; email pcarter@gov.nl.ca

UNDERTAKING RELEASED:

Appleton Mineral Exploration                                                           (Reg. 2106)
Proponent: New Found Gold Corp.

The project is 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 Water Resources Management Division requires the following:
  • The percentage of land disturbance from drill pad sites and trails in any sub-watershed within the Protected Public Water Supply Area (PPWSA) should not exceed 5% of that sub-watershed area.
  • All drill holes outside of the PPWSA must be capped. Any flowing drill holes/collars outside of the PPWSA have to be sealed with bentonite and the collar removed.
  • In drilling areas 1, 2, 6, 7 and 15, the drill holes have to be sealed with bentonite and the collar has to be removed at the end of the drilling season or end of the calendar year, whichever occurs first.
  • Bog mats should be used in wet areas of the trail through which the drill rig and other equipment has to travel to mitigate damage to the environment.
  • A water-sampling program will need to be established including locations (surface water, groundwater, and discharge water), frequency and parameters to be sampled.
  • New Found Gold Corp. has indicated that they are unable to further refine the drill hole locations at this time and will not know until the drilling has commenced. Once drilling has started and drill hole locations are known or further refined, the proponent is required to send an updated map with drill hole locations to the Water Resources Management Division for review.
• The Provincial Archeological Office of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation requires that a minimum 50-metre undisturbed buffer is to be maintained along the shorelines of Gander River and outflow and a 100-metre undisturbed buffer is to be maintained along the shoreline of Gander Lake. Should historic resources such as archaeological sites, objects or significant fossil be found in the area, activity must cease immediately and contact be made with the Provincial Archaeology Office as soon as possible.
• The Office for the Status of Women requires the proponent to develop a Women’s Employment Plan for this project, to be approved by the Deputy Minister of the Office for the Status of Women. The Women’s Employment Plan should identify specific commitments to support the recruitment, training, employment and retention of women.
• 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 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 the conditions of release have 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, licenses, certificates, approvals and other authorizations required for the project, one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if requested. Project updates should be emailed to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.

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: https://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