HALIFAX, April 27, 2006 – The Joint Panel reviewing the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal project in Digby County, today announced the beginning of the comment period on the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) filed by the proponent. The EIS prepared by Bilcon of Nova Scotia, details the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment according to the Guidelines that were issued by the Panel on March 31, 2005.
The public and interested parties are now invited to submit written comments on whether the statement adequately addresses the requirements of the guidelines issued for the preparation of the statement. All comments received by the Joint Panel will be provided to the proponent who will respond in writing to the issues raised.
“The consultation on the EIS is a crucial step in the environment assessment process”, said Robert Fournier, Chairman of the Panel. “We look forward to reviewing the Environmental Impact Statement and the comments from all interested parties”.
This stage of the review is intended to assist the Joint Panel in determining whether the proponent must provide any additional information. Once the Panel has determined the EIS is complete, public hearings will be scheduled.
The public and interested parties are invited to submit their comments in writing in the official language of their choice by August 4, 2006. Comments may be sent by mail, email or fax to the attention of:
Debra Myles, Panel Manager
Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project - Joint Review Panel
c/o Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0626
Fax: (613) 957-0941
Comments@WPQ-JointReview.ca
All comments and responses will be placed in the public registry which is available online at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, at the Isaiah W. Wilson Memorial Library in Digby and at the library of Nova Scotia Environment and Labour in Halifax.
The Environmental Impact Statement is available on the Joint Panel’s Web site at www.wpq-jointreview.ca. Copies of the EIS may be viewed at the following locations:
Annapolis Royal Branch Library
Town Hall
285 St. George Street
Annapolis Royal, NS
Isaiah W. Wilson Memorial Library
84 Warwick Street
Digby, NS
Nova Scotia Environment and Labour Library
5151 Terminal Road, 5th floor
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Environment and Labour
Yarmouth District Office
13 First Street
Yarmouth, NS
Wolfville Memorial Library
21 Elm Avenue
Wolfville, NS
The proposed Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project is projected to take place on 150 hectares of land. The operations are expected to be year-round with approximately 40,000 tonnes of aggregate produced for ship loading each week, totalling two million tonnes per year.
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The Joint Review Panel for the Whites Point Quarry and Marine Terminal Project is an independent body, mandated by the federal Minister of the Environment and the Nova Scotia Minister of Environment and Labour to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.
For more information on the joint review panel process, contact the Panel Manager mentioned above.
Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: (613) 957-0434
