The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has announced the following events relative to Part 10 Environmental Assessment of the Environmental Protection Act.
REQUEST TO AMEND MINISTER’S DECISION:
Indian River RV Park (Reg. 2013)
Proponent: JSR Holdings Inc.
The above undertaking was released from further environmental assessment on May 28, 2019. The proponent has requested an amendment to the release decision. The request document can be viewed on the department’s website at www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/projects/project-2013/. Public comments can be directed to Brenda Rowe, Environmental Scientist, Department of Environment and Climate Change, by email at browe@gov.nl.ca. The deadline for public comments is June 5, 2021, and the minister’s decision is due by June 15, 2021.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT REQUIRED AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE APPOINTED:
Northern Peninsula ATV Trail System (Reg. 2122)
Proponent: Northern Peninsula ATV Riders Association Inc.
The minister has advised the proponent that an environmental preview report (EPR) is required for this project. Additional information is needed to inform the minister of the potential environmental effects, including, but not limited to:
- Identification of all parts of the trail that require construction such as cutting, infill, ditching etc., including the source of all fill materials and proposed width of the trail;
- A minimum 30-metre undisturbed buffer is required along the high water marks of waterbodies and wetlands to protect these sensitive habitats from potential negative impacts such as spills and branch-offs, noting that:
- Where unavoidable, a description and location of each stream crossing (including length, and material to build permanent crossings), along with mitigations is to be provided; and,
- Where unavoidable, a description and location of each wetland crossing (including extent of fill in, matting etc., source of material, transport of materials to site, etc.) and mitigations is to be provided.
- The rationale for the requirement for two center connecting trails and consideration of an alternative trail further to the west in favour of the northwestern section of that ‘loop’;
- Amendments (removal or re-routing) to sections of the proposed trail route to accommodate conflicts with permitted quarry boundaries, outfitter operation buffers, and habit for species listed under the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act; and,
- A ground-truthed digital (GPS) route that includes the information requested above.
An Environmental Assessment Committee (EAC) has been appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to the minister and to draft guidelines for the proponent conducting the EPR. The EAC includes representation from the following provincial government agencies:
- Department of Environment and Climate Change
- Environmental Assessment Division – Committee Chair
- Water Resources Management Division
- Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs
- Local Governance and Land Use Planning Division
- Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
- Policy and Planning Division
- Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Tourism Division
- Department of Industry, Energy and Technology
- Mines Branch
- Department of Transportation and Infrastructure
- Highway Design and Construction Division
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Environmental Protection Operations
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 www.gov.nl.ca/eccm/env-assessment/
Media contact
Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
709-729-5449; 691-9466
lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca