The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Environment 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 Forestry Operating Plan Amendment District 6 (2022-2026)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (Reg. 2341)
The Proponent is proposing an amendment to the Crown Zone 3 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2022-2026). The Project would create a Domestic Harvest Block in District 6, approximately 45 kilometres south of the Trans-Canada Highway on the Bay d’Espoir Highway. The harvest block would allow the Miawpukek First Nation to salvage burned and residual live timber within the boundary of the 2022 Bay d’Espoir forest fire. 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 December 13, 2024; the deadline for public comment is January 17, 2025, and the Minister’s decision is due by January 27, 2025.
Crown Zone 1: Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan Amendment District 1 (2022-2026)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (Reg. 2340)
The Proponent is proposing an amendment to the Crown Zone 1 Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan (2022-2026). The Project is proposed in two areas of Zone 1; Fox Marsh Forest Management Area near the community of Mahers and 9 kilometres south on the Argentia Access Road. The Fox Marsh location would increase harvest to 20,700 cubic metres with a total area of 1,900 hectares. The Argentia Access Road location covers 68 hectares and would permit harvesting of 5,500 cubic metres. 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 December 13, 2024; the deadline for public comment is January 17, 2025, and the Minister’s decision is due by January 27, 2025.
Burnt Berry Agricultural Development (Reg. 2339)
Proponent: Michael Warren
The Proponent is proposing to develop approximately 13 hectares of land for agriculture production on Burnt Berry Farm Road, approximately 15 kilometres west of the Town of Springdale. The land would be used for root crop production. Development would include the removal of trees, stumps, and stones as well as rock picking, applying soil amendments and planting crops. 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 December 13, 2024; the deadline for public comment is January 17, 2025, and the Minister’s decision is due by January 27, 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL PREVIEW REPORT GUIDELINES ISSUED:
Argentia Renewables Project (Reg. 2318)
Proponent: Argentia Renewables Wind LP
The Minister has approved the guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Preview Report (EPR) for the Argentia Renewables Project. The EPR guidelines identify the information that the Proponent is required to include in the EPR. The EPR guidelines are available on the Department’s Project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/argentia-renewables-project/.
UNDERTAKINGS RELEASED:
South Brook Bridge Recovery and Reinstallation (Reg. 2333)
Proponent: Western Sno-Riders
The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2333/.
Crown Zone 2: Five-Year Forestry Operating Plan Amendment District 2 (2022-2026)
Proponent: Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture (Reg. 2332)
The Project is released from environmental assessment subject to conditions as outlined in the Minister’s decision letter available on the Department’s Project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2332/.
PLAN ACCEPTABLE:
Fox Pond ATV Trail Extension (Reg. 2302)
Proponent: Cameron Hall
On December 11, 2024, the Minister advised the Proponent that the Environmental Protection Plan for the Project is acceptable. The plan was required as 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-2302/.
CONDITION OF RELEASE MET:
Labrador City Humphrey South Iron Ore Extension (Reg. 2114)
Proponent: Iron Ore Company of Canada
On December 11, 2024, the Minister advised the Proponent that the conditions requiring the identification of plants, avifauna and amphibians in the Project area have been met. Additional information is available on the Department’s Project web page at: www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/2114-2/.
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
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Project comments may be sent 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.