The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
PLANS APPROVED: (Reg. 1834)
Placentia Bay Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Project
Proponent: Grieg NL Nurseries Ltd. and Grieg NL Seafarms Ltd.
On January 30, 2020, the minister approved the Environmental Effects Monitoring Plans for Climate and Weather and for Fish, Marine Mammals and Seabirds, and the Environmental Protection Plans for Sea Cage Construction and for Sea Cage Operations. The approval of these plans are conditions of release of the project from environmental assessment.
UNDERTAKING RELEASED:
Come By Chance Refinery Crude Connecting Line (Reg. 2052)
Proponent: NARL Refining Limited
Project released subject to the following conditions:
- A minimum 30-metre undisturbed vegetated buffer is required along all waterbodies and wetlands that appear on a 1:50,000 topo 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). The location of any raptor nest site must be reported to the Wildlife Division of the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources at (709) 637-2025.
- A Benefits Agreement that meets the approval of the Minister of Natural Resources, prior to the commencement of site activities. The Benefits Agreement must also include a Gender Equity and Diversity Plan (GEDP) that meets the requirements of the Minister for the Status of Women. The proponent is required to finalize the Benefits Agreement and GEDP and obtain Ministerial approval prior to the commencement of site activities.
- A Decommissioning Plan for the project must be submitted to and approved by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment prior to the start of construction.
- An Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) must be submitted to and approved by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment prior to the start of construction. The EPP shall include but not be limited to, the following: frequency of inspections and monitoring of the connector line; leak detection equipment including auditory or other alarm systems in the event of a leak; contingency plans outlining procedures to be followed to contain and collect leaked product and to control and direct any crude spilled from the line to a suitable catchment area; and clearly defined roles and responsibilities of staff to be involved in leak containment response and clean-up.
- Approval is required from the Pollution Prevention Division of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment prior to the start of construction.
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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
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca