The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announces the following relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act:
Environmental Impact Statement Required and Environmental Assessment Committee Appointed:
Port au Port-Stephenville Wind Power and Hydrogen Generation Project (Project Nujio’qonik GH2) (Reg. 2202)
Proponent: World Energy GH2 Inc.
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:
- Confirmation of the final proposed locations of wind turbines, worker accommodations, offices, explosive storage facilities, access roads, power lines, and substations, as well as their distances from, and potential impacts on, nearby receptors.
- Identification of land use overlaps with protected areas, private land, mining operations, mineral licenses and leases, recreational and traditional land uses, and any potential project redesign.
- Potential effects on flora and fauna in the project area, as determined by:
- A bat monitoring program which includes the active season (April 15 – Oct 31) and obtains complete information on spring migration, summer resident bat activity, and fall migration;
- Targeted pre-construction breeding surveys for Common Nighthawk and Short-Eared Owl;
- A comprehensive survey for plants/lichen, including species listed under the NL Endangered Species Act as well as Species at Risk Act; and
- Baseline surveys for moose, caribou, and muskrat.
- Confirmation of proposed primary and secondary water sources, and hydrological modelling to determine sustainability of yield, quality and effect on other local users.
- Baseline geological information to support the planned storage / sequestration of chemicals produced throughout the project life, including CO2 and ammonia.
An Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to draft guidelines for the proponent in preparing the EIS. The EAC includes representatives from the following provincial and federal government agencies:
- Department of Environment and Climate Change
- Environmental Assessment – Chair
- Climate Change Branch
- Natural Areas
- Pollution Prevention Division
- Water Resources Management Division
- Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
- Department of Health and Community Services
- Department of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills
- Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
- Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
- Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
The public will be invited to provide comment on the draft guidelines. For further information on this project, please contact Eric Watton at (709) 729-0834 or email ericwatton@gov.nl.ca.
PLANS APPROVED:
Hopeall Abattoir (Reg. 2105)
Proponent: Kettle Hill Farm Farm
On July 28, 2022, the minister approved the waste management plan for the Hopeall Abattoir. Approval of the plan is a condition of release from environmental assessment. The plan is available on the Department’s project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2105/.
Green Bay Sawmill Production (Reg. 2190)
Proponent: Green Bay Logging Limited
On July 28, 2022, the minister approved the waste management plan for the Green Bay Sawmill Production project. Approval of the plan is a condition of release from environmental assessment. The plan is available on the Department’s project web page at www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2190/.
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 is available at:
www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/
www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_May-2022.pdf
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
Debbie Marnell
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-2575, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca