Eider Rock Project, Marine Terminal, Saint John Harbour (Archived)

New Brunswick (NB)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 07-03-28779
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: ~~~~

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of New Brunswick

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Environment Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On May 1, 2007, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to section 32 of the Fisheries Act and to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act; Environment Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 127(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and because Transport Canada considered taking action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

This is an amendment to the Notice of Commencement which indicated that this environmental assessment was started as a comprehensive study on May 1, 2007. On November 21, 2007, the Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, determined that a comprehensive study was the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for the proposed project. On June 18, 2010, the Proponent amended the project proposal. The project no longer includes the refinery and associated land-based infrastructure, the coke handling facility and associated land-based infrastructure, the pier or monobuoy for crude tanker unloading, and or the use of the existing monobuoy at Canaport and the seawater intake and outfalls and associated infrastructure. The environmental assessment of this project will be continued as a comprehensive study. This is an amendment to the scope of the project as a result of the January 21, 2010 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in MiningWatch Canada v. Canada (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans et al.).

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada as responsible authorities, propose the following revised scope of the project for the federal environmental assessment: the construction, operation and decommissioning of a marine terminal, including a jetty and trestle structure and oil handling and transfer facilities for the receiving and unloading of crude oil and intermediate feedstocks and for the future transfer of finished petroleum products from the existing refinery; a barge landing facility, constructed on either a temporary or permanent basis, for unloading large equipment during the construction phase or as required thereafter; a heavy haul road to allow access to the barge landing facility; and a pipeline connecting the marine terminal to the existing Saint John refinery for the transfer of crude oil to the existing refinery and refined petroleum products from the refinery to the marine terminal. Scope of project does not include shipping but does include the docking and deberthing of vessels.

Environmental Assessment Report

Comprehensive Study Report

Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Canada's Environment Minister Announces Decision

Final Decision

A decision was taken on August 3, 2011 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the comprehensive study report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Fisheries and Oceans Canada.