The Honourable Chris Tibbs, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, has announced the following relative to Environmental Assessment – Part 10 – of the Environmental Protection Act.
Undertakings Registered:
Crown District 22 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2027-2031) (Reg. 2421)
Proponent: Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
The proponent has submitted a proposal for a Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management District 22. District 22 is located in western Labrador, bounded by the Quebec–Newfoundland and Labrador border and Forest Management Districts 19, 23 and 24. The plan describes commercial and domestic timber harvesting, silviculture activities and forest access road construction. The plan covers the period between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2031. A description of the project can be found on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/env-assessment/projects-list/.
The undertaking was registered on July 2, 2026. The deadline for public comment is August 7, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by August 16, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
Gander Area Peatland Development
Proponent: Hi-Point Industries (Reg. 2420)
The proponent proposes to develop and operate a 121-hectare peatland quarry located approximately 16 kilometres northeast of Gander in Central Newfoundland. Development would include the establishment of perimeter ditches, settling ponds, field ditches and removal of surface vegetation. The site would be accessed using a former forestry resources road located off Tower Road and Route 330. The operation would harvest peat moss to be used in the manufacture of oil-absorbent products and horticultural peat moss. A description of the project can be found on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/env-assessment/projects-list/.
The undertaking was registered on July 2, 2026. The deadline for public comment is August 7, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by August 16, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
George’s Brook Rock and Gravel Quarry (Reg. 2419)
Proponent: Decker Holdings Ltd.
The proponent is proposing to develop and operate a 1.3-hectare quarry located approximately three km northwest of George’s Brook. Operations would include the excavation of pit run and Class B aggregate. The quarry would supply aggregate for commercial construction. A description of the project can be found on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/env-assessment/projects-list/.
The undertaking was registered on July 2, 2026. The deadline for public comment is August 7, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by August 16, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
Crown District 21 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2027-2031) (Reg. 2418)
Proponent: Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
The proponent has submitted a proposal for a Five-Year Operating Plan for District 21. District 21 is located on the South Coast of Labrador. It is bounded to the north by Hawke Bay and Hawke Brook, to the west by the Paradise and St. Paul’s Rivers and the Quebec-Labrador border to the Strait of Belle Isle, and to the east and south by the Labrador Sea, including all islands, to Hawke Bay. The plan describes harvesting operations, silviculture activities and road construction and covers the period between January 1, 2027, and December 31, 2031. A description of the project can be found on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/env-assessment/projects-list/.
The undertaking was registered on July 2, 2026. The deadline for public comment is August 7, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by August 16, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
Environmental Preview Report Guidelines Issued:
St. John’s Dockyard Upgrades (Reg. 2393)
Proponent: St. John’s Dockyard Limited
The minister has issued the guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Preview Report for the St. John’s Dockyard Upgrades. The Environmental Preview Report guidelines document identifies the information that the proponent will be required to address in the Environmental Preview Report. The Environmental Preview Report guidelines are available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2393/.
Undertakings Released:
Baie Verte Concrete Batch Plant (Reg. 2411)
Proponent: Steady Mix Concrete Inc.
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2411/.
Petty Harbour Breakwater (Reg. 2410)
Proponent: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions outlined in the minister’s decision letter available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2410/.
Plans Accepted:
St. Anthony Marine Biomaterial Processing Facility (Reg. 2383)
Proponent: Atlantic BioCorp Ltd.
The minister has advised the proponent that the Waste Management Plan for the project is acceptable. The Waste Management Plan was required by a condition of release from environmental assessment and is available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2383-2/.
Scully Mine Tailings Impoundment Area Expansion Project (Reg. 2158)
Proponent: Tacora Resources Inc.
The minister has advised the proponent that the Dust Mitigation and Monitoring Plan, the initial Hydrogeological Assessment Report and the Aquatic and Terrestrial Baseline Survey Reports for the project are acceptable. These were required by a condition of release from environmental assessment and are available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2383-2/.
White Hill Pond Quarry (Reg. 1889)
Proponent: JCL Investments Inc.
The minister has advised the proponent that the Water Resources Management Plan for the project is acceptable. The Water Resources Management Plan was required by a condition of release from environmental assessment and is available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-1889/ .
Learn more
Environmental Assessment Division
Department of Environment, Conservation 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/eccc/files/EA-Guide-to-the-Process_Mar-2026.pdf
Follow us on X @GovNL and @ECCC_GovNL
Project comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca
Anyone submitting comments on a project under environmental assessment should notify the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change if they DO NOT wish to have their comments shared with the project proponent.
-30-