OTTAWA / CALGARY, December 20, 2006 - The Joint Panel reviewing the proposed EnCana Shallow Gas Infill Development project in the Suffield National Wildlife Area in Alberta, today issued the final Guidelines for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Guidelines will provide direction to the proponent, EnCana Corporation, in preparing a statement of the anticipated effects of the project on the environment.
The draft Guidelines were the subject of a public consultation in August of 2006. After thoroughly considering the written submissions, the Panel amended the Guidelines to reflect comments received, and to make them more focused on key environmental issues related to the proposed project.
Following the reception of the EIS from the proponent, the public will be invited to assist in the review of the document by submitting written comments on the EIS and its conformity to the Guidelines. Once the Panel has determined the EIS is complete and that additional information is not required, public hearings will be scheduled.
The Guidelines along with more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under registry number 05-05-15620.
To obtain information on the panel review process, or to register as an interested party and to be kept informed of the panel's activities, provide a full mailing address or an e-mail address to the following:
Marie-France Therrien, Panel Co-Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0324
marie-france.therrien@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Jodie Smith, Panel Co-Manager
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
640 5th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 3G4
Tel: 403-297-3541
jodie.smith@eub.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, abandonment and reclamation of the shallow gas wells, pipelines, and supporting infrastructure.
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The Joint Review Panel for the EnCana Shallow Gas Infill Development Project is an independent body, mandated by the federal Minister of the Environment and the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project.
Media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
