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

UNDERTAKINGS REGISTERED:

Boom Siding Residential Property                                                (Reg. 2276)
Proponent: Ken and Lorraine Abbott

The Proponent is proposing to construct a residential dwelling in Boom Siding, Little Rapids area, near Pasadena. The dwelling will be located on a 0.392 hectare lot near the Humber River. The dwelling will be approximately 167 square metres and will include an accessory building approximately 45 square metres. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on November 9, 2023; the deadline for public comment is December 15, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by December 24, 2023.

Charlottetown Diesel Generating Station Improvements            (Reg. 2277)  
Proponent: Newfoundland and Labrador HydroThe Proponent is proposing improvements at the existing diesel generating station located in the community of Charlottetown, Labrador, along Route 514 off the Trans-Labrador Highway. The proposed work would ensure the continued provision of reliable power to the communities of Charlottetown and Pinsent’s Arm, and will result in an increase in installed capacity of the generating station exceeding one (1) megawatt.  The work would include the installation and commissioning of a1825 kilowatt mobile genset on an existing concrete pad, electrical and mechanical hookup, fuel system piping modifications, and exhaust stack modification. No earthworks or site expansion is required. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on November 9, 2023; the deadline for public comment is December 15, 2023; and the minister’s decision is due by December 24, 2023.

Plans Acceptable:

Huguette Lake Quarry                                                                              (Reg. 2099)
Proponent: Allard Distributing Ltd.

On November 9, 2023, the minister advised the Proponent that the Water Resources Management Plan for the Huguette Lake Quarry Project was reviewed and was found to be acceptable. The plan was required by a condition of release from environmental assessment and is available on the department’s project web page at:  www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2099/.

Bay Bulls-Bauline Multi-Use Trail                                                         (Reg. 2220)
Proponent: Bay Bulls-Bauline Athletic Association

On November 9, 2023, the minister advised the Proponent that the Environmental Protection Plan for the Bay Bulls-Bauline Multi-Use Trail Project was reviewed and was found to be acceptable. The plan was required by a condition of release from environmental assessment and is available on the department’s project web page at:  www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2220/.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Peaches Cove – Green Bay Multipurpose Trail Upgrades             (Reg. 2252)
Proponent: Peaches Cove – Green Bay Development Inc.

The project is released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions;

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• The Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) of the Department of Environment and Climate Change notes that a section of the proposed trail crosses two small wetlands that are visible on the 1:50,000 topographic map. The WRMD therefore requires that the Proponent follow the route as proposed by WRMD to avoid the effects of the trail on the wetlands.
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires the following:
  • A minimum 30-metre, undisturbed riparian buffer must be maintained from the high water mark of all wetlands and waterbodies within and adjacent to the project that are identified on either the 1:50,000 scale National Topographic System maps, or the topographic mapping layer shown in the Provincial Land Use atlas, except where crossing is permitted by the Water Resources Act, to protect sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitats; and
  • Vegetation clearing is not to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) or within 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). The location of any raptor nest sites shall be reported to the Wildlife Division.
• The Proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by e-mailing a written description, document, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The Proponent must 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, within one year from the date of release, and to provide additional updates if required.

CBPPL Zone 6 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2024-2028)    (Reg. 2256)
Proponent: Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• The Climate Change Branch of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires that a Greenhouse Gas Management Plan must be prepared and submitted to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for approval. A draft of this plan must be submitted within one year of the date of the minister’s decision letter with an update on the progress of this plan to be submitted in 6 months. The plan is to include:
  • Any carbon modeling that has been or will be used to inform forest management planning;
  • Projections on the level of greenhouse gas emissions that are anticipated to be captured and/or released over the five-year period; and
  • A description of how forest management will be informed by carbon modelling with regard to climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation.
• The Water Resources Management Division of the Department of Environment and Climate Change requires the following:
• • a 30-metre protective buffer is required around the following hydrometric stations:
    • Grand Lake east of Grand Lake Brook (Station ID  02YK010);
    • Highlands River at Trans-Canada Highway (Station ID 02ZA002).
  • Prior to the start of the forestry operations, the erosion susceptible areas in these flood plain watersheds must be identified to prevent erosion during forest harvesting.
    • Humber River watershed (Deer Lake and Steady Brook flood plain mapping);
    • Stephenville Crossing watershed (Stephenville Crossing and Black Duck Siding flood plain mapping); and
    • Codroy Valley watershed (Codroy Valley flood plain mapping).
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture require the following for the protection of sensitive riparian and aquatic species and their habitat:
• • A minimum 50-metre no grubbing buffer is to be maintained from the high water mark of all scheduled salmon rivers. A minimum 30-metre naturally vegetated buffer is to be maintained from the high water mark of all waterbodies (wetlands not included) that are identified on either the 1:50,000 scale National Topographic System maps, or the topographic mapping layer shown in the Provincial Land Use Atlas.
  • A minimum 50-metre naturally vegetated buffer is to be maintained from the high water mark of all Significant Wetlands shown in the Provincial Land Use Atlas or identified by Wildlife Division during the Annual Operating Plan review.
• The Proponent must advise the Environmental Assessment Division when the conditions of release have been met, by e-mailing a written description, documents, and images (where applicable) to demonstrate that the conditions have been fulfilled.
• The Proponent must 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 required.

Flat Bay Brook Outfitters Lodge                                                          (Reg. 2270)
Proponent: Mountain Top Cabin Ltd.

The project is released subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must 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 (FFA) requires the following:
• • A minimum 50-metre undisturbed riparian buffer zone shall be established along the scheduled salmon river, Flat Bay Brook. Land use activities involving grubbing, ground or soil disturbance, or timber harvesting activities shall not take place in this buffer zone.
  • Vegetation clearing is not to occur within 800 metres of a bald eagle or osprey nest during the nesting season (March 15 to July 31) or within 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). The location of any raptor nest sites shall be reported to the Wildlife Division.
• The Proponent must 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.
• The Proponent must 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, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

Deer Lake Tailrace Bridge Geotechnical Work                                 (Reg. 2271)
Proponent: Department of Transportation and Infrastructure

The project is released from environmental assessment subject to the following conditions:

• The Proponent must uphold all commitments made in the environmental assessment submission to mitigate the effects of the project on the environment.
• The Proponent must 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, within one year from the date of this release letter and to provide additional updates if required.

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

Environmental assessment information is available at:

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/

www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/files/GUIDE-TO-THE-PROCESS_September-2023.pdf

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Project comments may be forwarded to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca

Anyone submitting comments on a project under environmental assessment is asked to please advise the Department if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the Project Proponent.