OTTAWA – December 23, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister Jim Prentice announced today that a comprehensive study is the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for the proposed Water West Regional Water Supply Project in west central Saskatchewan.
The Minister based his decision on the report and recommendation submitted by the responsible authority, Infrastructure Canada. The report contains information on the scope of the project, the factors to be considered in the environmental assessment and the scope of those factors, public comments in relation to the project, the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects and the ability of the comprehensive study to address issues relating to the project.
"After taking into consideration the report and recommendation of the responsible authority, I am confident that a comprehensive study will appropriately address the potential environmental effects of this project," said Minister Prentice.
A copy of the report can be obtained by contacting:
Sylvie Demers
Infrastructure Canada
605 – 90 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 5B4
Tel: 613-948-9461
Fax: 613-946-9888
sylvie.demers@infc.gc.ca
Infrastructure Canada will now continue the comprehensive study and submit a comprehensive study 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 his final decision.
Water West Pipeline Cooperative Ltd. is a legally associated water pipeline utility planning to construct a large scale water infrastructure system in west central Saskatchewan. The project would expand the currently operating EK Water Administration Board water pipeline which has been in existence since 1964. The proposed project is located south of Kindersley toward the South Saskatchewan River and would follow existing water pipeline right of ways.
Further information on this project is available in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under reference number 08-03-38510.
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.
-30-
For more information, media may contact:
Lucille Jamault
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: 613-957-0434
