OTTAWA and CALGARY - August 17, 2007 - The Joint Panel reviewing the proposed EnCana Shallow Gas Infill Development project in the Suffield National Wildlife Area in Alberta, today announces that an approval has been received to extend the closing date by 30 days for the public consultation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.
Following a request by the Department of National Defence (DND), the Joint Panel had written to the federal Minister of the Environment and the Chairman of the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) to request an extension of the time period specified in the Agreement and Terms of Reference for the review of the EIS. DND subsequently withdrew its request; however, the Panel decided to maintain its request for an extension after having received a further request from the Siksika Nation.
The public will now have until August 27, 2007 to submit any further comments regarding the adequacy of the EIS. All comments received by the Panel will be made public through the on line registry established for the project. Forward your written comments by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:
Marie-France Therrien, Panel Co-Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0324
Fax: 613-957-0941
comments@SuffieldReview.ca
Jodie Smith, Panel Co-Manager
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
640 5th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P 3G4
Tel.: 403-297-3541
Fax: 403-297-4117
comments@SuffieldReview.ca
After reviewing the comments received and the proponent’s response to those comments, the Panel will determine, by September 26, whether the EIS is sufficient or if the proponent must provide any additional information before the Panel schedules public hearings.
The EIS, along with more information on this project are available on the Panel’s web site at www.SuffieldReview.ca or on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under registry #05-05-15620.
To obtain information on the panel review process, or to register as an interested party and be kept informed of the panel's activities, provide a full mailing or e-mail address to either of the Panel Co-Managers listed above.
EnCana Corporation proposes to drill, 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 km Northwest of Medicine Hat and 250 km 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 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
