Ottawa, October 3, 2011 – The Joint Review Panel reviewing the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, announced today the beginning of a comment period on the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Application filed by the proponent, Shell Canada Ltd. The EIS assesses the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment. This comment period provides interested parties an opportunity to express their views to the Panel on the adequacy of the available information.
The Joint Review Panel was established in September 2011 to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the Application filed by the proponent. The Panel will review the public comments received and will determine whether it will require additional information from the proponent. Once the Panel is satisfied that the information is adequate, it will announce the details of the public hearing, including the hearing commencement date, the hearing venue, and any prehearing process and will provide a minimum of 60 days notice prior to the start of the hearing.
Forward your written comments by mail, e-mail or fax, in either official language by December 16, 2011 to the Panel Secretariat at the address below. All comments received by the Joint Review Panel will be considered public and will be posted on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet site.
Joint Review Panel Secretariat
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
Shell.Reviews@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
To obtain information on the panel review process and be kept informed of the Panel's activities, provide a mailing or e-mail address to the Panel Secretariat at the address indicated above.
The Environmental Impact Statement, the Application, along with more information on this project, is available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca , under reference # 10-05-59540.
A paper copy of the Application may be viewed at the following location:
Energy Resources Conservation Board
Fort McMurray Regional Office
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
9915 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB
Shell Canada is proposing to expand the Jackpine Mine project. The expansion would include additional mining areas and associated processing facilities, utilities and infrastructure. The project would be located about 70 km north of Fort McMurray on the east side of the Athabasca River. The expansion project would increase bitumen production by 100,000 barrels per day, bringing production at the mine to 300,000 barrels per day.
The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Jackpine Mine Expansion project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the Chairman of the Energy Resources Conservation Board to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the Application.
