OTTAWA, July 31, 2006 - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) today released for public comment a draft Agreement to establish a joint review panel with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) for the environmental assessment of the proposed EnCana - CFB Suffield National Wildlife Area Shallow Gas Infill Development project.
The environmental assessment by a joint review panel will satisfy the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board Act and the Energy Resources Conservation Act of Alberta.
The Agency has developed a draft Agreement with the EUB for the conduct of the environmental assessment. The Agreement will establish the mandate and authorities of the joint panel, its composition and project review procedures.
The public is invited to submit written comments on the draft Agreement. Comments in either official language received by the Agency by August 29, 2006 will be considered. After taking public comments into consideration, the Agreement will be finalized and made public.
The draft Agreement along with more information on this project can be found on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry. To submit comments, obtain a copy of the Agreement or to register as an interested party and be kept informed of the panel's activities, contact:
Marie-France Therrien, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0324
Fax.: 613-957-0941
marie-france.therrien@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
EnCana Corporation proposes to install, over a three-year period, up to 1275 new shallow gas wells within the boundary of the Canadian Forces Base Suffield National Wildlife Area (NWA), located in Southeastern Alberta, approximately 50 kilometres Northwest of Medicine Hat and 250 kilometres Southeast of Calgary. The project is in addition to the existing natural gas development activities within the NWA and includes the physical works and the activities associated with the preparation, construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of the shallow gas wells, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure.
The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.
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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process, which identified the environmental effects of proposed projects and measures to address those effects, in support of sustainable development.
Media may call:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
