Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador

Attachment Advisory Group Input - Mitigation Measures

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Keepers of the Circle
• Reference number: 388
• Submitted: 2025-01-16 - 10:07 AM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Shared Responsibilities Indigenous Lens Gender-Based Analysis + In Impact Assessments Report Prepared for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada By the Invitation to Voices project team A Collaborative Partnership between Temiskaming Native Women’s Support Group (Keepers of the Circle) and AnânauKatiget Tumingit Regional Inuit Women’s Association Authorship Statements Alexandra Bridges Alex is an Oji-Cree woman of the Pike Clan and member of Mattagami First Nation located in Treaty 9 Northern Ontario. She has lived experience with impacts from resource development growing up in the districts of Sudbury and Timmins Cochrane during renewed mining exploration activities, as well as living and working in Northern Alberta during the tar sands boom. She holds a B.A. in Indigenous Environmental Studies with an emphasis on Law and Policy from Trent University and has over ten years experience working in Indigenous non-profit organizations. She sits on the board of directors of several non-profits, cooperatives and Indigenous led organizations across Turtle Island and is a strong advocate for Mino-Bimaadiziwin, the inalienable rights of Indigenous peoples and pursues, with passion, environmental and socio-economic development projects in Northern Ontario. Britney Zacharuk Britney graduated from the University of Guelph, receiving a Bachelor of Environmental Science with a Major in Ecology. She wrote her undergraduate thesis analyzing Indigenous-Science knowledge system exclusion trends in federal impact assessments. Britney is a settler living in so-called Canada and seeks to use her privilege to uplift Indigenous people and amplify their voices. She is ...

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Attachment Questions re NL OSW RA

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Kiera Walsh
• Reference number: 378
• Submitted: 2024-12-12 - 6:35 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• It seems the buffers associated with coastal areas (10km), Gros Morne (80km), Bird colonies (5km), lobster areas (3km), ferry routes (500m around), transportation routes (10km) are solidified - wondering if you could confirm these setback distances?   We're also looking at some other constraints that I'm wondering if the RA committee has considered implementing, or has reviewed to discuss and/or implement a setback distance: Shipwrecks and other archaeological sites Blue Whale Important Areas Aquaculture sites, other fishing areas Critical Habitat for aquatic species at risk Indigenous communities and reserves Northern Bottlenose Whale areas  Anything else related to marine traffic (traffic density) Marine Protected Areas Vulnerable marine ecosystems Seabird colonies; Important Bird Areas Areas of Interest If you have any thoughts on those above, or have any other key constraints you think we should consider, please let me know!   Thanks very much,   Kiera  

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Attachment RA OSW NL - Comments on Draft Final Report

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor)
• Reference number: 372
• Submitted: 2024-12-10 - 3:18 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Hi Robin,   Please see attached comments from FFAW-Unifor.   Best, Katie Power (she/her) Industry Relations Representative Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-Unifor) 368 Hamilton Ave, St. John’s, NL (709) 576-7276 (709) 330-0531 www.ffaw.ca   We may have different working hours. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule."
• Attachment included
• DWAN STREET President JASON SPINGLE Secretary-Treasurer Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 301-10 Barters Hill, St. John’s NL, A1C 3M1 RE: Draft Report – Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL Public Comment Opportunity Regional Assessment Committee members, On behalf of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FFAW-Unifor), please accept the following comments in response to the Draft Report on offshore wind development in Newfoundland and Labrador. FFAW-Unifor represents every inshore fish harvester south of Makkovic encompassing over 3,000 owner-operator enterprises and their 7,000 crew members. Our membership also includes 4,000 working people in fish processing plants, marine transportation, metal fabrication, brewing, hospitality, and more. As the Union representing fish harvesters and processing workers, FFAW-Unifor is the primary advocate for the economic and social sustainability of coastal communities throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The coastal fabric of our province is dependent on healthy oceans and fish stocks. The inshore fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador contributes over $1 billion annually to the provincial economy from a renewable and historically significant marine resource. Offshore wind energy expansion has a direct impact on fish harvesters who will be faced with increased competition for ocean space during development and with permanent infrastructure installations. Co-location and co-existence of the existing commercial fishery and new offshore wind energy represents a major, unanswered concern for the Newfoundland and ...

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Attachment Deadline Reminder - FW: Draft Report / Rapport provisoire - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL / Évaluation régionale de l'exploitation éolienne extracôtière à T-N-L

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Jason Maurice
• Reference number: 368
• Submitted: 2024-12-10 - 2:51 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Impact Assessment Project Description Socio-Economic Checklist for Proponents FAAR Annex Proponents are asked to review the following checklist to ensure that they have adequately addressed - in their Initial Project Descriptions (IPDs) – the socio-economic impacts that a project potentially has on communities. ESDC wants to assist proponents in fulfilling their socio-economic obligations at all stages of a project’s development; this includes the completion of not just IPDs, but also Detailed Project Descriptions (DPDs) and Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (TISGs), that are to incorporate socio-economic conditions aligned with ESDC’s mandate as a federal authority. The Value Components1 that are listed below are derived from ESDC’s mandate regarding socio-economic issues. The indicators are the requirements that ESDC expects any proponent to adequately address in their IPDs, DPDs and TISGs. ESDC believes how proponents respond to the indicators listed below and at all stages of the proposed project, will determine how effectively they will address socio-economic issues. Valued Component Indicators Economic Impacts ☐How the project would economically benefit the community as a whole and equity -deserving groups in the community’s labour market at the local, regional, and national levels. ☐Explicit indication of the anticipated time frame for the construction and completion of the project and its anticipated lifespan - including consideration of potential risks and mitigation measures related to boom- bust economic cycles. ☐Project’s approximate budget and how much will be spent locally on construction and operation phases including the ...

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Attachment CIAR, Information Request - Royal Canadian Navy Commentary

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Carol Lee Giffin
• Reference number: 367
• Submitted: 2024-12-10 - 6:15 AM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• December 09, 2024 ELECTRONIC MAIL To - The Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Subject: Response to the request for review of draft report by the Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development (OSW) in Newfoundland and Labrador On 1 October 2024, the Department of National Defence (DND) received a request from the Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (the Committee) to provide comments on the draft Regional Assessment Report for Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador. DND has reviewed the report and provides feedback below. The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) relies on Maritime Local Operating Areas (MARLOAs) in the Atlantic Ocean to conduct military training, to fulfill their departmental mandate. Location coordinates of the MARLOAs can be found on Annual Notices to Mariners (notmar.gc.ca). Activities that occur in these areas include: • Weapons testing, operational testing and evaluation (ship certification) and gunnery (crew certification), • Restricted underwater activities; and • Military restricted air operations. From the draft report, page 92, Maritime Forces Atlantic Safety & Environment (MARL SE) suggests the following modifications, highlighted in yellow: “The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Air Force (RCAF) both may conduct practice exercises and undertake planned military activities along Canada’s coasts, including within the Focus Area. Activities may involve ships, submarines, aircraft, or other components. Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) has designated ...

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Attachment NunatuKavut Community Council comments on the Draft Report

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of NunatuKavut Community Council
• Reference number: 374
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 6:47 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Greetings,   I ask that you kindly accept this late submission made on behalf of the NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC). We had been given an extension to Dec. 6, but due to my continued illness, I was not able to send it until today.    Please note that the format of our comments tracks the format of the Draft Report, for easy review.   Finally, we congratulate the Committee and Secretariat staff on a job well done! We found the Draft Report to be well-balanced, well-sourced, and of high quality. Our comments reflect that fact.   Please contact Kayla Beals, in cc on this message, prior to posting our comments online in the registry.   Many thanks,   Shelley Kath
• Attachment included
• 1 Comments on the Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador December 2024 By the NunatuKavut Community Council 200 Kelland Drive, PO Box 460, Stn. C Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL A0P1C0 http://www.nunatukavut.ca http://www.nunatukavut.ca/ 2 I. Introduction and Context The NunatuKavut Community Council (“NCC”) is pleased to present its comments on the Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (“Draft Report”) issued October 1, 2024 by the Committee for this Regional Assessment (or “RA”). Before presenting our comments, we provide brief background on NCC and NunatuKavut as important context for this submission. Background on NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit NCC is the representative governing body for more than 6,000 Inuit primarily residing in south and central Labrador. Translated from Inuttitut, NunatuKavut means "Our Ancient Land” and refers to our territory. NunatuKavut Inuit are beneficiaries of the British-Inuit Treaty of 1765, entered into at Chateau Bay, Labrador in 1764-1765 between the southern Inuit and the British Crown. Today, NunatuKavut encompasses more than 20 permanent communities, 1 with the vast majority of members residing along Labrador’s south coast, south of Hamilton Inlet. As it was in times of old, and still today, we are deeply connected to the land, sea and ice that make up NunatuKavut, our home.2 The rights of NunatuKavut Inuit are represented by NCC. NCC is led by a Governing Council elected by our membership. It is comprised of a President and Vice-President, Councillors representing each of the six areas in ...

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Attachment MFN Feedback on the Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Miawpukek First Nation
• Reference number: 375
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 3:15 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Miawpukek Mi’kamawey Mawi’omi Council of the Conne River Micmacs Government of the Conne River Micmacs Conne River, Micmac Territory, Nfld. A0H 1J0 (709) 882-2470 Fax (709) 882-2292 December 9, 2024 Regional Assessment Committee Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland & Labrador Via email: Erin.Stapleton@iaac-aeic.gc.ca Re: Miawpukek First Nation Feedback on the Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development Dear Members of the Regional Assessment Committee, On behalf of Miawpukek First Nation (MFN), I am writing to follow up on the recent Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador. First, I would like to reaffirm that our comments and concerns submitted during the Interim Report phase remain valid and should be given due consideration. MFN continues to emphasize the importance of protecting our Food, Social, and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries, ensuring adequate buffers for near-shore areas, and fully incorporating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the planning and decision-making process. Based on the Indigenous Engagement portion of the Draft Report, MFN would like to highlight the following key points: Cultural and Environmental Protections: MFN strongly supports the recognition of areas of cultural importance, environmentally sensitive habitats, and species that hold cultural significance (e.g., Atlantic salmon and American eel). We emphasize that buffers and setbacks must be established in collaboration with Indigenous groups to minimize potential adverse effects on our traditional fishing activities and the ecosystems on which we ...

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Attachment Requesting Advisory Group Input on Effects of OSW - Due February 11 2024

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of East Coast Environmental Law
• Reference number: 364
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 2:47 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Good morning,   Please find attached a PDF copy of the draft document that was shared for review by Advisory Group members; per the instructions, we have provided some comments in the margins.   Kind regards,   Kostantina Northrup (she/her) Staff Lawyer
• Attachment included
• UNCLASSIFIED - NON CLASSIFIÉ Request for Advisory Group Input on Effects Research to Date Commi%ee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador December 11, 2023 Request for Advisory Group Input on Effects Research to Date CommiDee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador December 11, 2023 i UNCLASSIFIED - NON CLASSIFIÉ Contents Request for Advisory Group Input on Effects Research to Date ................................................................... 1 1. AcBviBes Associated with Offshore Wind Development ...................................................................... 3 2. PotenBal Impact Pathways and Effects of Offshore Wind Development on Components Assessed under the Regional Assessment ................................................................................................................... 9 I. Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases ................................................................................................. 10 II. Marine Fish and Fish Habitat .......................................................................................................... 14 III. Avifauna .......................................................................................................................................... 28 IV. Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles .................................................................................................. 47 V. Protected and Special Areas ........................................................................................................... 57 VI. Fisheries ...

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Attachment Fisheries & Other Ocean Users AG Meeting w Committee

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Fisheries & Other Ocean Users
• Reference number: 363
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 2:05 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Hi Lindsey,    Your email of February 27 did not indicate where to submit information, so I figured I would email you directly.   As a preliminary matter, the fisheries continue to support the responsible and expedient development of wind in the ocean environment, but reiterate that it must be done in a responsible and collaborative manner. This would certainly include meaningful consultation in this RA process.    However, we feel that we have not been properly consulted with so far. We only learned about the proposed plan late last Friday afternoon and received a presentation earlier this week. We are in the midst of an incredibly busy time of year in the fisheries and there simply is not enough time to provide meaningful feedback on the proposed plan. What’s more, we still know very little about the methodology in selecting and applying certain decision-making criteria and I have not received any additional information in this respect. To this end, we are not able to provide additional information or commentary as requested.    Rather, we request further consultation in respect of the methodology that's proposed. In particular, we feel that your constraints analysis can be improved by ensuring that key decision-making criteria under the Impact Assessment Act are properly taken into account, including the commercial fisheries (and the fish habitats on which they rely) and the impacts on indigenous peoples.   The fisheries remain open to collaboration and cooperation in the ocean environment but require meaningful consultation in doing so. We caution against taking expedient actions ...

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Attachment Request to Meet Regional Assessment Secretariat

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of John Salsbury
• Reference number: 362
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 1:34 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Thank you Lindsey.   We appreciate the brevity of these answers and also appreciate the difficult circumstances the Committee members are operating in.   John

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Attachment RA OSW NL Public Morning Session Meeting Notes - Feb 29 2024

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Arlene Blanchard
• Reference number: 361
• Submitted: 2024-12-09 - 1:11 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Good morning Reading this update and I am amazing at the comment that consultation with indigenous communities have not shows any concerns.  I have expressed more than once that construction like this is the water is not acceptable.   I do water ceremonies to protect the water and the species in it and this entire project goes against all our beliefs.  I am Mi’kmaq and do not want to see any windmills in our bay near Bay St. George.  There is an abundance of studies showing impact to the species and the environment which takes years to recover.  This goes against protecting our waters for the next seven generations and protecting our food, livelihood.  Makes me wonder if anyone is even listening to our people.   Many of our fisher people make a living off the sea and these windmills would disrupt that.  This has been commented many times during consultations, from our people.  The warming of our waters are moving lobsters farther off shore.   I am many other are against windmill development in the water period. No windmills in our water!   Arlene

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Attachment DFO-NL Response to Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Kate Tobin
• Reference number: 390
• Submitted: 2024-12-05 - 1:38 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Please see the attachment to view the content.

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Attachment Deadline Reminder - FW: Draft Report / Rapport provisoire - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL / Évaluation régionale de l'exploitation éolienne extracôtière à T-N-L

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Canadian Wildlife Service - Atlantic Region
• Reference number: 380
• Submitted: 2024-12-03 - 12:58 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• Hello Michael and Maryam,   I hope your week is going well. As previously mentioned, ECCC-CWS has been working to provide more information to the NL Committee in support of increased minimum buffers around bird colonies. We have conducted an analysis that demonstrates the percentage of foraging birds within the Focus Area that would benefit from increased buffers of varying size. We also demonstrate the impact of extending bird colony buffers on the total area proposed for future licencing. As has been previously indicated to the Committees, buffer recommendations for bird colonies should be determined on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Regulator and ECCC-CWS.   Please find the colony buffer analysis document for transmittal to the NL Committee attached. If there are any questions we are happy to discuss!   Thank you for your continued patience on this important piece.   Christine
• Attachment included
• Newfoundland and Labrador Bird Colony Buffer Analysis Product Objective ECCC recommends an increased buffer, beyond 5 km, around bird colonies to mitigate impacts from Offshore Wind Energy Development (OWED) in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Although siting decisions are the most effective strategy to avoid and minimize impacts of development on breeding birds (Gulka et al., 2024 preprint), extending the buffer around colonies would reduce the risk of collision and displacement for species during critical life stages. The buffer recommendations presented here should be considered as “minimum buffers”; Proponents should contact ECCC during the planning stages of any project for advice on appropriate colony- or species-specific setbacks based on best available data and subject-matter expert information. Colonial birds show high site fidelity to colonies during breeding, nesting, and chick- rearing, and make repeated foraging and transit movements between nest sites and foraging areas. These repeated movements may cause individuals to be more at risk of displacement or collision within their natural foraging range around colonies. ECCC-CWS provides the following examples of how extending the buffer distance around colonies may reduce the impacts of offshore wind energy developments to foraging birds. Methods The results presented here relate to the proposed OWED licencing areas identified by the NL Regional Assessment Committee in the draft Final Report. The data shown below is taken from the theoretical foraging range work previously provided by ECCC-CWS and modeled foraging distribution work conducted by Ronconi et al., (2022). Bird abundance values were extracted from the summed, ...

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Attachment Letter and Comments for the RA Committees

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Rhonda Wiley
• Reference number: 381
• Submitted: 2024-12-02 - 6:26 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Comments and Recommendations for the draft Regional Assessment Report for Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs Secretariat (APC) advocates on behalf of 33 Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, Peskotomuhkati and Innu Chiefs, Nations and communities in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Maine. Among other subjects, APC is particularly interested the success and sustainability of Indigenous fisheries, which may be negatively impacted during construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of Offshore Wind (OSW) installations. APC recognizes the Regional Assessment Committees engaged with a great number of Indigenous communities and groups and collected a comprehensive list of suggestions and concerns, which were then discussed in the Committee’s reports. We also acknowledge the considerable effort made to collect, review and catalogue recent relevant data and scientific findings in our provinces’ offshore waters. We value these efforts and appreciate the spirit and dedication in which they were undertaken. APC also appreciates and strongly endorses both Committees’ extensive and detailed recommendations, in particular with respect to on-going Indigenous engagement and participation in recommended scientific research to address the significant data gaps identified in the Regional Assessments. Following our review of the two Regional Assessments for Offshore Wind draft Final Reports issued in October and November 2024, this letter outlines our thoughts regarding some of the key issues raised in the Reports and provides recommendations for the Committees’ consideration. 1. OSW Project Design. ...
• Attachment included
• Sent via email: OffshoreWindNL-EolienneExtracotiereTNL@iaac-aeic.gc.ca November 29, 2024 Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Impact Assessment Agency of Canada 301-10 Barters Hill St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 6M1 Re: draft Regional Assessment Report for Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador To the independent Committee of the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, On behalf of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC), I am writing to share our recommendations for the draft Regional Assessment Report for Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador. APC is a policy research and advocacy organization for 33 Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqey, Peskotomuhkati, and Innu communities in Atlantic Canada, Gaspé Peninsula of Québec, and Maine, USA. With community support, APC follows a relationship vision of partnership and cooperation, dialogue and education, quality of life, and self-determination in First Nations communities. One of our major concerns is the potential impact of offshore wind (OSW) projects on Indigenous fisheries. APC acknowledges the efforts of the Regional Assessment Committees, which engaged with numerous Indigenous groups and gathered valuable input. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the draft report and strongly support the recommendations proposed by the Committee, especially regarding ongoing Indigenous engagement and involvement in scientific research to address data gaps. Please see enclosed APC’s comments, concerns, and recommendations for the draft report. In your commitment to ...

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Attachment Women and Gender Equality Canada comments

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Women and Gender Equality Canada
• Reference number: 348
• Submitted: 2024-12-02 - 8:37 AM
• Women and Gender Equality Canada comments
• Attachment included
• Non classifié - Unclassified # Department Section Comment Rationale WAGE-01 7.13 Communities and Economy, 7.13.3 Mitigation and Other Measures, pgs. 737-739. Table 7.13.21 includes "Address Gender Gaps" as the "Desired Effect" however it is not clear how, or if, Offshore Wind will adopt the measures that were identified as "most helpful for reducing barriers for women." pgs. 733, 737 In addition, the potential risk of gender-based violence (GBV) as a result of the Project was noted by participants in Marystown and Port au Port Indian Band (pgs. 742, 744), and in the What We Heard Report (Annex A: Indigenous Engagement, pg. 35) however this has not been clearly responded to in Table 7.13.21 "Avoid, mitigate, or offset adverse impacts to local communities." The Project report acknowledges the linkage between Canadian resource development projects and gender-based violence (pg. 822), however, there is a lack of clarity regarding proposed mitigation measures and collection of data to create a baseline to evaluate and monitor results. WAGE-02 7.13.6 Committee Conclusions and Recommendations, pgs. 746-747. 11.2.4 Establish a baseline, pgs. 823-824. In many cases sufficient data does not exist to facilitate analysis around individuals (e.g., privacy concerns), but a helpful heuristic work around these gaps is to work with community-level data, especially in an Indigenous context. It is important to include qualitative and quantitative data, as well as Indigenous Knowledges and other non-Western "ways of knowing". It is also important to consult multiple sources of information and evidence, which includes Non classifié - Unclassified ...

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Attachment Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Qalipu First Nation
• Reference number: 382
• Submitted: 2024-12-02 - 8:19 AM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Draft Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Report Feedback Section Page # Comment 1.5.2 16 Focus Area includes waters and adjacent land of cultural significance to QFN & other Mi'kmaq groups 5.2 60-61 Perhaps one of the most important points given in the feedback was that any proposed project inside or outside of the focus area is not excluded from future impact assessments. This is important because environmental conditions can change between now and future project proposals especially with climate change warming waters causing species to migrate further north (i.e. American lobster). The northern migration of species could affect fishery areas which could clash with potential offshore wind development. To alleviate any concerns there should always be a thorough environmental impact assessment done regarding offshore wind development in this province and support for a precautionary approach to the industry has been outlined within the report. 7.1.1 125 QFN would like to reiterate that the Focus Area is adjacent to our traditional territory and as we are a landless band any offshore wind development would be taking place on unceded Mi'kmaq terriorty. 7.1.3 128 QFN supports the movement for Indigenous consultation regarding offshore wind development in NL. Mentioned in the report is the UNDRIP which commits developers to meaningful engagement and consultation, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of indigneous peoples. QFN supports the "do no harm" principle outlined in the report. QFN also appreciates that eagle mortalities due to offshore wind should they arise be respect and carcass given to a representative of an appropriate ...

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Attachment Please be careful about wind power

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Nicole Corrado
• Reference number: 347
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 11:54 PM
• Please be careful about birds and bats near the turbines.   ??I noticed a lot of wildlife live here.  ?????Please preserve the trees at this location. Please do not harm animals with this project. Please do not use animal testing for pollution and effluent monitoring. https://www.change.org/p/stop-testing-sewer-water-on-laboratory-fish ?Please work with the Canadian Centre for the Alternatives to Animal Methods. https://www.uwindsor.ca/ccaam/ Please only use non lethal ways to live with geese, beavers, and other wildlife. Develop a Living With Coyotes program with the animal welfare organization Coyote Watch Canada. www.coyotewatchcanada.com Please only use non lethal ways to manage wildlife. There are humane, non lethal ways to deal with beavers. Here's a great resource. https://thefurbearers.com/downloads/PDFs/Beaver%20Book%20-%202019-10-08%20The%20Fur-Bearers.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1fP2wOYQKbWREX0E5QzYBhZLf9VjwMov3p37Vh8ToW1-NeQvAoVATZhEg%0A%0A https://www.change.org/p/stop-banff-from-killing-animals-after-conflicts https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/humanely-scare-away-canada-geese https://www.canadageese.org/nlcontrol.html https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/humane-goose-control-pdf.pdf https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/what-do-about-canada-geese This company makes non lethal products. https://margosupplies.com/ca-en/ ? Conventional rodent control uses cruel methods. The companies use glue traps, and snap traps, which, like legholds, can cause injury. They also use rodenticide, which kills slowly and kills many non target ...

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Attachment AGC & AFC Feedback on Final RA Draft Report for Offshore Wind in NL

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: AGC & AFC
• Reference number: 346
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 5:53 PM
• See Attached.
• Attachment included
• 1 Atlantic Groundfish Council and Atlantic Fixed-Gear Council Response to the Regional Assessment Committee’s Draft Report on Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador November 29, 2024 2 Dear Committee Members, Please accept the following feedback on behalf of the Atlantic Groundfish Council (AGC) and the Atlantic Fixed Gear Council (AFC) in response to the Committee’s latest Draft Regional Assessment (RA) Report for Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, hereinafter referred to as ‘the report’. This feedback should be considered in conjunction with AGC’s September 2023 submission to the RA Committee. Background AGC represents >100’ (offshore) groundfish licence holders in Atlantic Canada and AFC represents 65-100’ fixed-gear groundfish licence holders in Atlantic Canada. These organizations include family-owned enterprises that are deeply committed to their thousands of employees, providing full-time employment in rural areas through vessel operations, processing plants, and ancillary facilities. Our members have a long-standing history of deriving the maximum benefit from our sustainable, renewable seafood resources for the benefit of all Canadians. They are proud to be staunch stewards of the resources they harvest and have continued to promote responsible, sustainable fisheries with contributions to fisheries stock research and monitoring as well as leading Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certifications and Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs) for most of the stocks they harvest, process, and bring to markets. We are supportive of Canada’s efforts to ...

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Attachment Seafood Producers' Association of Nova Scotia

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Seafood Producers' Association of Nova Scotia
• Reference number: 345
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 4:37 PM
• See attached
• Attachment included
• 1801-45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 2N6 Tel: (902) 463-7790 Fax: (902) 469-8294 Email: spans@spans.ca Please accept the following submissions on behalf of the Seafood Producers’ Association of Nova Scotia (SPANS). SPANS represents the Eastern Canadian Offshore Scallop Fleet (ECOSF), which is licenced to operate on certain banks in the area governed by the Newfoundland & Labrador administrative region of DFO. There are 5 licence-holders in the ECOSF, including the FNC Holdings Limited Partnership, which represents a coalition of First Nations situated in Newfoundland & Labrador and Nova Scotia. For the purposes of the RA’s study, the ECOSF is primarily concerned with scallop beds located on St. Pierre Bank. The ECOSF has harvested Sea Scallops on St. Pierre since the 1960s and has done so under an ‘enterprise allocation’ and ‘individual transferable quota’ system since the 1980s. In 2006, the federal government clarified that the ECOSF has the exclusive right to harvest Sea Scallops on the middle and south beds of St. Pierre Bank (with the inshore fleet having exclusive rights to the north bed). St. Pierre is on the Northern edge of habitat for Sea Scallops. Sea scallops reproduce by releasing seed into the water column and Sea Scallops remain in a planktonic state for approximately 5 to 6 weeks. Scallop recruitment is highly variable and unpredictable, as scallop larvae is distributed through currents, which are in turn impacted by winds. For commercial purposes, scallops tend to flourish in ‘beds’ of gravel substrate at appropriate depths. Dense aggregations of scallops in defined beds are important for reproduction and abundance, given the nature of their ...

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Attachment Feedback - Draft Report - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Econext
• Reference number: 371
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 3:57 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• econext NEI Association Inc. 235 Water Street, Suite 200 St. John’s, NL A1C 1B6 Phone: 709.999.4321 Email: info@econext.ca econext Web: www.econext.ca | Email: info@econext.ca | Ph: 709.999.4321 235 Water St., Suite 200 St. John's, NL, Canada, A1C 1B6 Attn: Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador OffshoreWindNL-EolienneExtracotiereTNL@iaac-aeic.gc.ca Re: Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador November 29, 2024 Committee members, On behalf of econext, I would like to express the association’s appreciation for the work the Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (‘the committee’) has undertaken since its appointment, and for the opportunity to provide feedback on its draft final report. About econext econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities. econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca. econext’s members have safely and effectively provided oceans and energy-based environmental products and services for many years, and we lean on their experience and expertise when it comes to providing feedback on such matters as the Regional ...

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Attachment SeaBlue Canada Submission on the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Committee's Draft Report: Protecting Marine Protected Areas

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: SeaBlue Canada
• Reference number: 344
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 3:39 PM
• The attached is a submission by the SeaBlue Canada coalition to the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Assessment Committee (the “Committee”) regarding its Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador draft report (the “Draft Report”). SeaBlue Canada works collaboratively to ensure that Canada’s marine protected area (“MPA”) commitments are ambitious, equitable, and ultimately provide meaningful protection to marine species and habitats. The coalition comprises the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the David Suzuki Foundation, East Coast Environmental Law, the Ecology Action Centre, Nature Canada, Oceans North, West Coast Environmental Law, and WWF-Canada.  SeaBlue Canada supports the development of offshore renewable energy (“ORE”) projects as part of the clean energy response to the climate crisis. However, ORE projects, including offshore wind (“OSW”) developments, must be managed responsibly and sustainably to minimize impacts to the marine environment, and in a way that advances equity by providing benefits to local communities.  SeaBlue Canada supported Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (“Bill C-49”), which will enable the prevention or prohibition of offshore interests within offshore areas that have been identified for ...
• Attachment included
• 1 November 29, 2024 SeaBlue Canada Submission on the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Committee’s Draft Report: Protecting Marine Protected Areas 1. Introduction The following is a submission by the SeaBlue Canada coalition to the Newfoundland and Labrador Regional Assessment Committee (the “Committee”) regarding its Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador draft report (the “Draft Report”).1 SeaBlue Canada works collaboratively to ensure that Canada’s marine protected area (“MPA”) commitments are ambitious, equitable, and ultimately provide meaningful protection to marine species and habitats. The coalition comprises the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the David Suzuki Foundation, East Coast Environmental Law, the Ecology Action Centre, Nature Canada, Oceans North, West Coast Environmental Law, and WWF-Canada. SeaBlue Canada supports the development of offshore renewable energy (“ORE”) projects as part of the clean energy response to the climate crisis. However, ORE projects, including offshore wind (“OSW”) developments, must be managed responsibly and sustainably to minimize impacts to the marine environment, and in a way that advances equity by providing benefits to local communities. SeaBlue Canada supported Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts (“Bill C-49”)2, which will enable the prevention or prohibition of offshore interests within offshore areas that have been identified for ...

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Attachment ECCC Comments on Drat NL RA Report on Offshore Wind - CIAR, Information Request

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Reference number: 370
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 3:20 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Section Page 1.7 Committee Conclusions and Recommendations 20 4.2.1.1 Turbine Components 41 4.2.1.2 Turbine Heights and Rotor Blade Diameters 43 7.2 Air Quality and GHGs 129 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 150 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 151-155 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 157 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 157 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 158 Figures 7.3.7 to 7.8.18 159 Figure 7.3.8 160 Figures 7.3.7 to 7.3.18 159-170 7.3.2.1.1 Marine Birds 171 7.3.2.1.3 Waterfowl 183 7.3.2.2.1 Critical Habitat and Important Areas for Species at Risk 191 7.3.2.2.1 Critical Habitat and Important Areas for Species at Risk 191 7.3.2.2.1 Critical Habitat and Important Areas for Species at Risk 193 7.3.3.2.2 Physical Injury or Mortality Due to Collisions 202 7.3.3.2.3 Habitat Enhancement 203 7.3.3.3.1 Construction and Vessel Use 205 7.3.3.3.1 Construction and Vessel Use 205 7.3.3.3.1 Construction and Vessel Use 205 7.3.3.3.2 Displacement and Fragmentation During Operation 206 7.3.3.3.2 Displacement and Fragmentation During Operation 206 7.3.3.3.2 Displacement and Fragmentation During Operation 207 7.3.3.3.2 Displacement and Fragmentation During Operation 207 7.3.3.3.2 Displacement and Fragmentation During Operation 207 Table 7.3.10. Measures Commonly used to Mitigate and/or Enhance Effects of Offshore Wind Development on Aerofauna 223 Table 7.3.10 223 7.3.6 Data Gaps and Limitations 229 7.3.6 Data Gaps and Limitations 229 Table 7.4.7 Large Pelagic Species that Occur in or adjacent to the Focus Area 305 7.4.2.1.5 Entanglement 342 7.5.1.4 Sea Turtles 409 7.3.7 Committee Conclusions and Recommendations 460 7.6.1.2 Bioregions 460 Table 7.6.8 Important Bird Areas located within or adjacent to the Focus ...
• Attachment included
• Scientific name Common name 2023 Red List category Pluvialis squatarola Grey Plover Least Concern (LC) Charadrius vociferus Killdeer Least Concern (LC) Limosa fedoa Marbled Godwit Least Concern (LC) Limosa haemastica Hudsonian Godwit Least Concern (LC) Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone Least Concern (LC) Calidris falcinellus Broad-billed Sandpiper Least Concern (LC) Calidris himantopus Stilt Sandpiper Least Concern (LC) Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper Near Threatened (NT) Calidris alpina Dunlin Least Concern (LC) Calidris minutilla Least Sandpiper Least Concern (LC) Calidris fuscicollis White-rumped Sandpiper Least Concern (LC) Calidris subruficollis Buff-breasted Sandpiper Near Threatened (NT) Limnodromus griseus Short-billed Dowitcher Least Concern (LC) Limnodromus scolopaceus Long-billed Dowitcher Least Concern (LC) Tringa flavipes Lesser Yellowlegs Least Concern (LC) Tringa melanoleuca Greater Yellowlegs Least Concern (LC) 2024 Red List category (embargoed until 28 Oct) Genuine or non- genuine change R at e o f g lo b al p o p u la ti o n d ec lin e o ve r th re e g en er at io n s P ac if ic A m er ic as C en tr al A m er ic as A tl an ti c A m er ic as E as t A tl an ti c B la ck S ea -M ed it er ra n ea n E as t A si a- E as t A fr ic a C en tr al A si a E as t A si a- A u st ra la si a Vulnerable (VU) Genuine 30-49% Y 0 Y Y Y Y Y Y Near Threatened (NT) Genuine 20-29% Y Y Y 0 0 0 0 0 Vulnerable (VU) Genuine 30-49% Y Y Y 0 0 0 0 0 Vulnerable (VU) Genuine 30-49% 0 Y Y 0 0 0 0 0 Near Threatened (NT) Non-genuine 20-29% Y 0 Y Y Y Y Y Y Vulnerable (VU) Genuine 30-49% 0 0 0 0 0 Y Y Y Near Threatened (NT) ...
• Attachment included
• rufa Red Knot tracking data in Atlantic Canada to inform Offshore Wind Assessments 1 | Shorebird Science & Conservation Collective rufa Red Knot Summary Report for CWS Conservation Request The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) requested rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) tracking data from the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective (hereafter, “Shorebird Collective”) to support a risk mapping exercise related to offshore wind development in parts of Atlantic Canada. Specifically, CWS requested rufa Red Knot tracking data to determine their exposure risk in preliminary licensing areas for offshore wind near Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador (Map 1). About the Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective The Shorebird Collective is a partnership of scientists and practitioners working to translate the collective findings of shorebird tracking and community science data into effective on-the-ground actions to advance shorebird conservation in the Western Hemisphere. Learn more at: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory- birds/shorebird-collective. About the Canadian Wildlife Service CWS is a branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada and serves as Canada’s national wildlife agency. CWS is responsible for the conservation of migratory birds, species at risk, and biodiversity. Learn more at: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html. Map 1. CWS’s Atlantic Canada area of interest for assessments of offshore wind development in the preliminary licensing areas off the coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. ...
• Attachment included
• 1 ECCC Comments on Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador October 1, 2024 7.2 Air Quality and GHGs Comment 1: The Final Report should include wording referencing the Strategic Assessment of Climate Change (SACC) and associated Technical Guides, including methodologies related to estimating and mitigating GHG emissions. Recommendation: ECCC recommends the inclusion of the following wording under Table 7.2.6: "Offshore wind projects, if designated, would need to follow all applicable climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) guidance presented in the SACC and the Technical Guides, which may include consideration of the GHG emissions from the construction (including pre-construction), operations, and decommissioning phases of off-shore wind projects, as well as mitigation measures." Comment 2: ECCC notes that section 7.2.1.4 refers to 2021 emissions values, however 2022 data is now available. Recommendation: ECCC recommends updating this section to include values from the 2024 NIR (1990-2022) and NL latest emissions summaries (1990-2022). The report can be found here - National inventory report : greenhouse gas sources and sinks in Canada.: En81-4E-PDF - Government of Canada Publications - Canada.ca Comment 3: In section 7.2.3 on mitigation measures, the draft Report states one mitigation measure: "Regulate emission levels by using high-quality fuel that contains low sulfur levels to the extent practicable." While the use of high-quality fuels can reduce emissions of other air pollutants, it is not a mitigation measure for GHG emissions. This mitigation measure should also mention the use of other fuel types such as low GHG emission ...

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Attachment DFO-NL Response to Draft Report for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in NL

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NL Region
• Reference number: 379
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 3:15 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe  
• Attachment included
• Map of 3Ps sea cucumber fishing areas
• Attachment included
• 1 DFO NL Region Review Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Resource Management Table 7.7.6. Shellfish Fishing Trends within NAFO Divisions Snow crab Divisions are for Placentia Bay only, please also include Fortune Bay. Table 7.7.9. Applicable Commercial Groundfish Fishing Closures and 7.7.1.6.5 Redfish Pleas remove Redfish, it has since opened. Table 7.7.7. Applicable Shellfish Fishing Closures This is entered twice in the report: 3Psn/Scallop Fishing Area 11 The portion of Scallop Fishing Area 11 bound by straight lines drawn between the following coordinates: 47°11’24” North, 55°27’36” West (White Point) to 47°12’36” North, 55°29’24” seconds West to 47°06’00” North, 55°51’00” West to 47°04’48” North, 55°51’00” West Pages 532 and 533 Report text: The 3Ps portion of SFA 7 of the Northern Shrimp fishery falls partially within the Focus Area. This area only opens at the request of the industry and was last open in 2021. While there is some data available from Canadian multispecies randomized trawls and logbooks from the area, no assessment has been made for the 3Ps shrimp stock as it has a limited TAC. • Please remove red text, there is no TAC in 3Ps Shrimp. Section 7.7.1.7 Pelagic Recommend removing sea cucumber from the Pelagic section as it is not a pelagic species. Suggest including it under Shellfish (7.7.1.5), but rename that section to Invertebrates. Recreational Scallop Fishery The recreational scallop fishery is very active on the south coast of NL. DFO can provide further context on number of scallop recreational licenses in the area, and would appreciate this being highlighted more throughout ...
• Attachment included
• Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Impact Assessment Program November 2024 DFO Science Review of the ‘Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (October 1, 2024)’ Background / Context: The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s (IAAC) Committee for the Regional Assessment (RA) of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador has released a Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador (October 1, 2024) for public comment. The draft report was provided to DFO on October 1, 2024, with a request for response by November 29, 2024. The following constitutes the DFO Ecosystems and Oceans Science sector’s science expert advice in response to the request. In preparing the response, the DFO Ecosystems and Oceans Science sector drew upon its knowledge of marine ecosystems, species, and marine industrial activities, science literature, previous responses provided to the RA Committee, and its expertise gained from similar reviews of other marine industries, including review of the submarine cable, offshore petroleum, and tidal power sectors. Figure 1. Recommended offshore wind licensing areas identified by the RA committee for offshore wind in Newfoundland and Labrador in its draft report released for public comment on October 1, 2024. The outer boundary delineates the Focus Area for this assessment. Newfoundland and Labrador Region Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Impact Assessment Program 2 Question/request: The Regional Assessment Committee is seeking comments and input on its Draft Report: Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and ...

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Attachment Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Indian Head First Nations
• Reference number: 343
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 3:03 PM
• Dear Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, On behalf of the Indian Head First Nation Band (IHFN), we are writing to express our concern with the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the MOU between Canada and the Province of NL for offshore turbines in designated bays (OREs). The Committee has failed to meaningfully engage with and incorporate the Indigenous knowledge and perspectives of the Indian Head Band throughout this process. This oversight demonstrates a lack of consideration for the community's inherent rights and interests as an Indigenous people, in violation of the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Newfoundland and Labrador Aboriginal Consultation Policy. The last minute inclusion (July 2024), the rushed timeline (August 21, 2024) and the broad geographic scope of the Regional Assessment have made it extremely challenging for the community to participate and share our knowledge. Our Vice Chief attended the committees last meeting in early summer (June), provided his business card representing Indian Head First Nation and asked for a meeting and appropriate consultation. He was never contacted and thus either was IHFN membership or elected leaders in a timely fashion. In light of these grave concerns, we call on Canada and the Committee to: • Immediately remove the Bay St. George region from consideration in any focus area for offshore wind development • Amend the MOU signed December 2023 with the Province to remove Bay St. George and IHFN from defined OREs • Engage in meaningful, nation-to-nation consultation with the Indian Head First ...
• Attachment included
• Dear Committee for the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, On behalf of the Indian Head First Nation Band (IHFN), we are writing to express our concern with the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the MOU between Canada and the Province of NL for offshore turbines in designated bays (OREs). The Committee has failed to meaningfully engage with and incorporate the Indigenous knowledge and perspectives of the Indian Head Band throughout this process. This oversight demonstrates a lack of consideration for the community's inherent rights and interests as an Indigenous people, in violation of the principles of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Newfoundland and Labrador Aboriginal Consultation Policy. The last minute inclusion (July 2024), the rushed timeline (August 21, 2024) and the broad geographic scope of the Regional Assessment have made it extremely challenging for the community to participate and share our knowledge. Our Vice Chief attended the committees last meeting in early summer (June), provided his business card representing Indian Head First Nation and asked for a meeting and appropriate consultation. He was never contacted and thus either was IHFN membership or elected leaders in a timely fashion. In light of these grave concerns, we call on Canada and the Committee to: • Immediately remove the Bay St. George region from consideration in any focus area for offshore wind development • Amend the MOU signed December 2023 with the Province to remove Bay St. George and IHFN from defined OREs • Engage in meaningful, nation-to-nation consultation with the ...

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Attachment Évaluation régionale de l'exploitation de l'énergie éolienne extracôtière à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador

• Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Author: Administrator on behalf of O'Reilly André-Grégoire & Associés
• Reference number: 384
• Submitted: 2024-11-29 - 2:24 PM
• Participation notice: Public Notice - Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador Public Comments invited on the Draft Regional Assessment Report
• See the attached submission / Veuillez consulter la pièce ci-jointe
• Attachment included
• Kuei, Nous avons pris connaissance du Rapport provisoire de l’évaluation régionale de l’exploitation de l’énergie éolienne extracôtière à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Sous réserve des prochaines étapes, nous considérons que les commentaires d’Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam ont été pris en considération dans le rapport provisoire. Nous demeurons préoccupés des effets potentiels que les projets éoliens extracôtiers auront, entre autres sur l’Utshashumeku et les oiseaux migrateurs, et nous souhaitons demeurer informés des prochaines étapes de l’évaluation régionale. Nous espérons également que ce processus de consultation mène à un réel encadrement de l’industrie de l’énergie éolienne extracôtière. Nous réitérons que l’approche du Comité voulant que l’industrie et les règles d’évaluation d’impacts permettront de respecter les droits des peuples autochtones n’est pas suffisamment contraignante et ne prend pas en compte les trop nombreuses expériences négatives vécues par les peuples autochtones. Salutations, From: Desroches,Luc (IAAC/AEIC) <Luc.Desroches@iaac-aeic.gc.ca> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2024 6:59 PM To: Marie-Claude André-Grégoire <marie-claude.andre-gregoire@oraga.ca>; Laurence Prudhomme <laurence.prudhomme@oraga.ca> Cc: jc.pinette@conseil.itum.qc.ca; André Michel <andre.michel@itum.qc.ca>; mike.mckenzie@conseil.itum.qc.ca; Burgess,Carys (IAAC/AEIC) <Carys.Burgess@iaac-aeic.gc.ca>; Lax,Sara (IAAC/AEIC) <Sara.Lax@iaac-aeic.gc.ca>; Offshore Wind NS / Éolienne Extracotière NE (IAAC/AEIC) <OffshoreWindNS-EolienneExtracotiereNE@iaac-aeic.gc.ca> Subject: Évaluation régionale de l’exploitation de l’énergie éolienne extracôtière en Nouvelle Écosse ...

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