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.
UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:
Grand Falls-Windsor to Badger Distribution Feeder Upgrades (Reg. 2127)
Proponent: Newfoundland Power
The proponent is proposing refurbishments and upgrades to sections of the GFS-06 Distribution Feeder between Grand Falls-Windsor and Badger, in order to replace and repair sections of the distribution line that has deteriorated or does not meet current standards. Work will include construction of a new distribution feeder line adjacent to the existing line and running parallel with the Trans-Canada Highway, rerouting the distribution feeder line to join in with an existing distribution line around Red Cliff and the removal of the existing distribution feeder line.
The undertaking was registered on April 1, 2021; the deadline for public comments is May 6, 2021; and, the minister’s decision is due by May 16, 2021.
Riverhead Access Road, Laydown Area and Wharf (Reg. 2126)
Proponent: Pennecon Marine Base Ltd.
The proponent proposes to construct and operate an access road to a quarry and another access road from the quarry to the shoreline where the proponent proposes to construct and operate a laydown area and wharf in order to load boats with quarry materials just west of Riverhead, St. Mary’s Bay. The proposed access roads will involve upgrading an existing trail.
The undertaking was registered on March 30, 2021; the deadline for public comments is May 6, 2021; and, the minister’s decision is due by May 14, 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT SUBMITTED:
Green Valley Regional Abattoir Northern Arm (Reg. 2102)
Proponent: Sunshine Investments Inc.
The proponent has submitted an environmental preview report (EPR) for the above undertaking as required by the minister. The EPR document is available on the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities website at: https://www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/projects/project-2102/. Public comments regarding the EPR are welcome and may be emailed to the Chair of the Environmental Assessment Committee, Susan Mouland, at susanmouland@gov.nl.ca or to EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca, or they may be mailed to the address below. Environmental Assessment Division Department of Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities Fourth Floor, West Block, Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Public comments must be received by May 6, 2021. The minister’s decision on the EPR is due by May 16, 2021.
UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
Baytona Snowmobile Trail (Reg. 2119)
Proponent: Continental Stone Limited
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 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.
- 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, one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if requested.
Indian River Fishway Reconstruction (Reg. 2120)
Proponent: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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 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.
Cormack Snowmobile Trail Connection (Reg. 2117)
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation
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 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.
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/
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @MAE_GovNL
Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment, Climate Change and Municipalities
709-729-5449; 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca