News Release
Côte-Nord Mining Railway Project – Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA – October 22, 2012 – 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 has determined that a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Côte-Nord Mining Railway Project in Quebec. The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent’s EIS.

Côte-Nord Mining Railway Company Inc. is proposing the construction and operation of a railway network in the Côte-Nord and Labrador regions. The railway right-of-way (ROW) will extend between Sept-Îles in Quebec and Wabush/Labrador City area in Labrador, where the ROW will join the Tshiuetin Railway. The project would include handling and storage facilities located at the Port of Sept-Îles in Pointe-Noire.

Written comments must be submitted by November 22, 2012 to:

Côte-Nord Mining Railway Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
901 - 1550 d'Estimauville Avenue
Quebec QC G1J 5E9
Telephone: 418-649-6444
Fax: 418-649-6443
ChemindeferCoteNordRailway@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency’s website (registry reference number 80006). All comments received will be considered public.

Copies of the draft EIS Guidelines are also available for viewing at the following locations:

  • Sept-Îles Public Library
    500, ave Joliette, Sept-Îles
  • Fermont Public Library
    100, Place Daviault, Fermont

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is one of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

This project will be assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, this project will continue to be subject to Canada’s strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines for those who break the rules. To learn more about the Responsible Resource Development Initiative, please visit the website: http://actionplan.gc.ca/en/page/r2d-dr2.

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.

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For more information, media may contact:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: 613-957-0278

Document Reference Number: 6

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