Public Notice
Project 4 — All-Season Road Connecting Berens River to Poplar River First Nation – Public Comments Invited

December 8, 2014 — As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Project 4 — All-Season Road Connecting Berens River to Poplar River First Nation, located in Manitoba. To assist it in making its determination, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

Manitoba Floodway and East Side Road Authority proposes to construct an all-season road on provincial Crown land, designed as a 2-lane gravel public highway approximately 94 kilometres in length. As proposed, the road would begin near the Berens River First Nation, on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, and extend north on the south side of the Berens River to the Poplar River First Nation reserve boundary. Four major water crossings (bridges) over the Berens, Etomami, North Etomami, and Leaf Rivers, would also be constructed as part of the project.

Written comments must be submitted by December 29, 2014 to:

Project 4 — All-Season Road Connecting Berens River to Poplar River First Nation
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue, Suite 1145
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C3
Telephone: 780-495-2037
Fax: 780-495-2876
CEAA.Project4-Projet4.ACEE@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Map depicting the location of the project, as described in the current document.

To view a summary of the project description or for more information on the project and on the environmental assessment process, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80094). All comments received will be considered public.

The Agency will post a decision on its website stating whether a federal environmental assessment is required.

If it is determined that a federal environmental assessment is required, members of the public will have three more opportunities to comment on this project, consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and fines for non-compliance.

Document Reference Number: 1

Date modified: