Public Notice
Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project — Public Comments Invited

February 24, 2015 — 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) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project, located 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia.

The Agency invites the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment Report, a document that includes the Agency's conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program. The Agency also invites the public to comment on the potential environmental assessment conditions for the project. These potential conditions would become legally binding on the proponent if the Minister of the Environment ultimately issues a decision statement indicating that the project may proceed. All comments received will be considered public.

Written comments must be submitted by March 26, 2015 to:

Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200-1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Fax: 902-426-6550
Exploration.Shelburne@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft Environmental Assessment Report, the potential environmental assessment conditions, or for more information, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80058).

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the last of four opportunities for the public to comment on this project. Following this final comment period, the Environmental Assessment Report will be finalized and the Minister of the Environment will issue an environmental assessment decision statement indicating whether or not the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and identifying the conditions that the proponent must meet with respect to mitigation and follow-up requirements in the event that the project is permitted to proceed.

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.

The Proposed Project

Shell Canada Limited is proposing to conduct an exploratory drilling program approximately 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia, consisting of up to seven exploration wells within Exploration Licenses 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2429, and 2430, over a four year period from 2015 to 2019.