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:

Pinchgut Lake to George’s Lake Distribution Line Upgrade        (Reg. 2285)
Proponent: Newfoundland Power Inc.

The Proponent is proposing to rebuild a 11-kilometre section of the feeder distribution line that runs between Pinchgut Lake and George’s Lake in Western Newfoundland. The distribution line supplies power to developments in the area of Gallants, George’s Lake, Pinchgut Lake and a portion of Corner Brook, including the Western Memorial Hospital. Upgrading this section of the distribution line is necessary to lower risk of failure and improve safety and service reliability. A description of the project can be found on the department’s webpage at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env- assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on January 18, 2024; the deadline for public comment is February 23, 2024; and the minister’s decision is due by March 3, 2024.

Point Rousse Quarry                                                                                (Reg. 2286)
Proponent: Shoreline Aggregates Inc.

The Proponent is proposing to construct and operate a 73.5-hectare quarry on the Point Rousse Peninsula, approximately 4 kilometres east of the town of Baie Verte. Development would consist of land clearing, drilling, blasting and extraction of bedrock material for processing at the existing on-site crushing and screening facility. The purpose of the quarry is to supply materials to the Proponent’s aggregate production operations for shipment to international markets via the Point Rousse marine terminal. A description of the project can be found on the department’s website at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/env-assessment/projects-list/.

The undertaking was registered on January 18, 2024; the deadline for public comment is February 23, 2024; and the minister’s decision is due by March 3, 2024.

UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:

Daniel’s Harbour Agriculture Development                                       (Reg. 2278)
Proponent: Spruce Grove Enterprises Ltd.

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 is required to submit a detailed Waste Management Plan describing the volumes and management practices for all waste generated by or related to the abattoir for approval by the to Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) prior to project commencement.
• The Proponent is required to submit a Water Resources Management Plan to the Water Resources Management Division (WRMD) for approval prior to commencing any work related to the abattoir expansion,
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture directs that 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) 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 sites must 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 provide additional updates if requested.

Cooper Cove Marine Terminal Expansion                                          (Reg. 2279)
Proponent: Port of Argentia

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 is required to submit a Waste Management Plan specific to the project for review and approval by the Pollution Prevention Division (PPD)  prior to project commencement.
• The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture requires that a presence/absence survey for Short-eared owls be completed by a qualified, independent third party prior to the start of construction, preferably between late June and late July of the construction year.
• 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 provide additional updates if requested.

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_Jan-2024.pdf

Follow us on X @GovNL and @ECC_GovNL

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.