OTTAWA, June 5, 2007 - The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency), today announced that the Lower Churchill Hydro Project will undergo an environmental assessment by an independent review panel.
"I am confident that a review panel is the best type of assessment to address the issues related to the development of this important hydro project," Minister Baird said. "A review panel, independent of government, will provide the best opportunities for the participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in the environmental assessment process."
The Agency is discussing with Newfoundland and Labrador Environment and Conservation the possibility of a joint environmental assessment of the proposed project. Information on the timing of next steps and public involvement will be announced once the governments have determined the most effective and timely manner of proceeding.
The Agency will make participant funding available to assist individuals and groups to participate in the environmental assessment process. The amount of available funding, how to apply and the deadline for applications will be announced shortly.
The proposal is for the development of the hydroelectric potential of the lower Churchill River. It includes two potential sites. One is a 2,000 megawatt project at Gull Island, which is 225 kilometres downstream from the existing 5,428 megawatt facility at Churchill Falls, and the other is an 800 megawatt project at Muskrat Falls, which is 60 kilometres downstream of Gull Island.
For more information on this project, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference number 07-03-26178.
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, an e-mail address or a fax number to the following:
Debra Myles
Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0626
debra.myles@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
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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.
Media may contact:
Nicholas Girard
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0958
nicholas.girard@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
