The Honourable Andrea Barbour, 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 Zone 3 Five-Year Operating Plan (2027-2031) (Reg. 2432)
Proponent: Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
The proponent has submitted a proposal for a Five-Year Operating Plan for Forest Management Planning Zone 3, which includes Forest Management Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8. Zone 3 extends from Seal Bay in the northwest, easterly along the coast to New-Wes-Valley in the northeast, southerly to Terra Nova National Park and westerly along the northern boundary of the Bay du Nord Wilderness Area. The plan describes commercial and domestic timber harvesting operations, silviculture activities, and construction of forest access roads. The plan covers the period of January 1, 2027, to 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 August 27, 2026. The deadline for public comment is October 2, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by October 11, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay Peat Moss Quarry (Reg. 2431)
Proponent: 44980 NFLD Inc.
The proponent is proposing to develop a 3.64-hectares peat moss quarry located off South Branch Road, approximately 24 kilometres from the intersection of Route 500 and Hamilton River Road, Happy Valley–Goose Bay. Development would include ditching around the perimeter of excavated areas, construction of sump pits and silt screens or dams, and removal of surface vegetation. The site would be accessed by the construction of a 150-metre road. The harvested peat moss would be used as topsoil for residential and commercial developments in the area.
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 August 27, 2026. The deadline for public comment is October 2, 2026, and the minister’s decision is due by October 11, 2026.
Comments may be sent to: EAProjectComments@gov.nl.ca.
Undertaking Released:
White River Hay Production (Reg. 2426)
Proponent: White River Hay Company
The project has been released from environmental assessment subject to the conditions as 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-2426/.
Plans Accepted and Conditions of Release Met:
St. Lawrence Spaceport Complex (Reg. 2375)
Proponent: NordSpace Atlantic Corporation
The minister has advised the proponent that the conditions of release requiring the submission of a Targeted Vegetation Survey for Species at Risk, a Women’s Employment Plan, and confirmation with Newfoundland Power that the project will not create issues with connection to the grid or conflict with electricity infrastructure have been met. The Targeted Vegetation Survey for Species at Risk and Women’s Employment Plan are available on the Department of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change website at: www.gov.nl.ca/eccc/projects/project-2375/.
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
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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.