OTTAWA, April 29, 2005 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invites public comment, beginning today, on the draft guidelines for the preparation of the environmental impact statement for the Romaine Project, a proposed 150-megawatt complex on the Romaine River, north of the municipality of Havre-Saint-Pierre. The proposed complex would include four generating stations and the creation of reservoirs covering a total area of approximately 275 km2. The project would also include the construction of an access road of about 160 km which would link highway 138 to the complex. The guidelines identify the issues the proponent, Hydro-Québec, will be required to address in order to prepare a statement of the anticipated effects of the project on the environment. The Agency announced on April 1, 2005 that, under its Participant Funding Program, $29,121 would be awarded to four recipients to take part in this phase of the environmental assessment of the project. The draft guidelines are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's Web site. The draft guidelines are also available from: Francine Richard Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (613) 957-0641 Fax: (613) 957-0941 E-mail: francine.richard@ceaa-acee.gc.ca Written comments on the draft guidelines received by May 30, 2005 will be considered. After taking public comments into consideration, the guidelines will be finalized and the Minister of the Environment will issue the guidelines to the proponent. Please forward your comments, in the official language of your choice, to: Francine Richard Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (613) 957-0641 Fax: (613) 957-0941 E-mail: francine.richard@ceaa-acee.gc.ca -30- 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. Media may contact: Robert Deslauriers Senior Communications Advisor Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Tel.: (613) 957-0396 Fax: (613) 957-0946 E-mail: robert.deslauriers@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
