OTTAWA - August 30, 2006 - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, has determined that a comprehensive study is the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for the proposed extension of Highway 35 in Quebec.
The Minister based her decision on the report and recommendation submitted by Transport Canada, on behalf of the responsible authorities. The report contains information on the scope of the project, the factors to be considered by the environmental assessment, public comments submitted to the responsible authorities, the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects and the ability of the comprehensive study to address issues relating to the project.
The report, along with further information on this project, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under registry number 05-03-12245.
The responsible authorities, Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Infrastructure Canada will now continue the comprehensive study and submit their report to the Minister of the Environment. At that time, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the findings and recommendations of the report before the Minister renders her final decision.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will act as the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator for this environmental assessment in order to coordinate the participation of federal departments.
The Ministry of Transportation of Quebec proposes the extension of Highway 35. The highway would be extended between Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Philipsburg, Quebec at the Vermont border, to complete the highway system in the trade corridor between Montreal and Boston and to improve safety.
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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.
For more information, media may call:
Lucille Jamault
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
lucille.jamault@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
