Environmental Assessment Bulletin

  • Environment and Climate Change

February 4, 2022

The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Carmanville New Pond Cabins Access Road                                    (Reg. 2186)
Proponent: Wayne Hicks

The proponent is proposing to construct a one kilometre access road to 11 cabins at New Pond, located two kilometres east of Carmanville, and, eight kilometres south of Route 330. The proposed access road would join the existing New Pond Road. A description of the project can be found on the Department’s web page at https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on February 3, 2022; the deadline for public comment is March 11, 2022; and, the minister’s decision is due by March 20, 2022.

Hickey’s Pond Access Road                                                                  (Reg. 2185)
Proponent: Burin Gold Corp.

The proponent is proposing to construct a gravel access road by upgrading an existing all-terrain-vehicle trail. The access road would be located approximately 12 kilometres southwest of Swift Current on the Burin Peninsula and would be 13.4 kilometres in length and five metres in width. Construction would include use of heavy equipment to widen the trail, and the installation of culverts and a Bailey bridge. Construction is anticipated to begin in May 2022. A description of the project can be found on the Department’s web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on February 3, 2022; the deadline for public comment is March 11, 2022; and, the minister’s decision is due by March 20, 2022.

Blaketown to Riverhead 94L Transmission Line Rebuild              (Reg. 2184)
Proponent: Newfoundland Power Inc.

The proponent is proposing to rebuild Transmission line 94L which extends 58 kilometres between Blaketown and Riverhead on the Avalon Peninsula. The proposed work would include the reconstruction of several sections of the line where continued maintenance is no longer feasible.  The work would be completed in three phases between 2022 and 2024. A description of the project can be found on the Department’s web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.
The undertaking was registered on February 2, 2022; the deadline for public comment is March 11, 2022; and, the minister’s decision is due by March 18, 2022.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT REQUIRED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:

Placentia Bay Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)                                       (Reg. 2177)

Facility and Marine Terminal
Proponent: LNG Newfoundland and Labrador Limited

The minister has advised the proponent that an environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for this project. Additional information is needed to inform the minister of the following, including, but not limited to: updated baseline studies; potential effects on, and mitigations for, seabirds, including the globally-significant breeding colonies at Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Lawn Bay Ecological Reserve and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve; potential effects on aquaculture, and commercial and recreational fisheries;  proposed carbon capturing technologies and construction;  liquefaction technology and process;  risk analysis, mitigations and contingency plans; greenhouse gas emissions and the potential impact on reaching emissions targets; and, potential conflicts with other resources on land (e.g. Bordeaux Trail) and in the offshore.

An Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to draft guidelines for the proponent for preparation of the EIS. The EAC includes representatives from the following provincial and federal government departments and agencies:

  • Department of Environment and Climate Change
    • Environmental Assessment Division – Chair
    • Climate Change Branch
    • Natural Areas Program
    • Pollution Prevention Division
    • Water Resources Management Division
  • Executive Council
    • Office of Women and Gender Equality
  • Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
    • Wildlife Division
  • Department of Health and Community Services
    • Public Health Division
  • Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
    • Workforce Development Secretariat
  • Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
    • Forestry and Wildlife Branch
    • Crown Lands Administration Division
  • Department of Health and Community Services
    • Public Health Division
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • Environmental Protection Operations
  • Transport Canada
    • Environmental Programs and Indigenous Relations

The public will be invited to provide comment on the draft guidelines. For further information on this project, please contact Vicki Ficzere at (709) 729-2822 or email vickificzere@gov.nl.ca.

Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment and Climate Change
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/ecc/env-assessment/

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

If you submit comments on a project that is under environmental assessment, please advise the Department if you DO NOT wish to share your comments with the project proponent.

Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449; 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca

2022 02 04 4:20 pm