News Release
Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project – Public Consultation Period and Federal Funding Available
OTTAWA – February 7, 2011 – The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) and the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Department of Environment and Conservation invite Aboriginal groups and the public to comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines and Scoping Document for the proposed Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The draft EIS Guidelines and Scoping Document will provide directions to the proponent on how to conduct the environmental impact assessment and to prepare the final EIS for this project. The document reflects concerns and issues regarding the proposed project and identifies the information that needs to be included in the EIS. Public comments on the document will be reviewed and considered before the EIS Guidelines and Scoping Document is finalized and issued to the proponent.
The draft EIS Guidelines and Scoping Document is available on the Agency's Web site, in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under reference number 10-03-51746 . It is also available on the NL Department of Environment and Conservation's Web site at www.env.gov.nl.ca . The document is available in hard copy, by request.
The Agency is also making available $200,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist groups and individuals to take part in upcoming steps in the federal environmental assessment of this project.
Public comments and funding applications received by March 21, 2011 will be considered.
This is the second of several public comment periods that occur during the environmental assessment of a project. Future public participation opportunities, including the comment period on the Comprehensive Study Report, will be announced at a later date.
The Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project, as presented by the proponent, Nalcor Energy, involves the construction and operation of an approximately 1100-kilometre long transmission line and associated infrastructure within and between Labrador and the Island of Newfoundland.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identifies the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
The NL Department of Environment and Conservation administers the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Protection Act and the associated environmental assessment process.
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For more information, media may contact:
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Maxine Leger-Haskell
Communications Advisor
Tel.: 613-957-0406 - NL Department of Environment and Conservation
Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Tel.: 709-729-2575
Document Reference Number: 6