Ottawa – November 7, 2013 –The Joint Review Panel reviewing the proposed Pierre River Mine project near Fort McMurray, Alberta, announced today the beginning of a comment period on the additional information provided by the proponent, Shell Canada Limited. This comment period provides the public an opportunity to submit their views in writing to the Panel on the adequacy of the additional information.
The additional information was provided in response to questions sent to the proponent by the Panel on October 25, 2012. The questions were issued following the public comment period on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Application in the summer of 2012. The EIA details the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment.
Aboriginal groups, governments and the public are now invited to review the additional information and provide comments to the Panel by January 17, 2014. All comments received will be considered public and will be posted on the online public registry. Written comments may be submitted in either official language by mail, e-mail or fax to the attention of:
Pierre River Mine Joint Review Panel Secretariat
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 1-866-582-1884
Fax: 613-957-0941
Shell.Reviews@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
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 venue, and the prehearing process. The Panel will provide a minimum of 60 days' notice prior to the start of the hearing.
All information pertaining to the review, including the additional information, the EIA and the Application, are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference #59539.
To obtain information on the panel review process and be kept informed of the Panel's activities, provide an e-mail address to the Panel Secretariat at the address indicated above.
The Pierre River Mine project proposed by Shell Canada Limited includes the construction, operation and reclamation of an oil sands surface mine and bitumen extraction facilities. The proposed mining project would be located approximately 90 km north of Fort McMurray on the west side of the Athabasca River. The proposed development includes an open-pit mine, ore handling facility, bitumen extraction facilities, tailings processing facilities, support infrastructure, water and tailings management plans and the construction of a bridge across the Athabasca River. The project is designed to produce a total of 200 000 barrels of bitumen per day.
The Joint Review Panel for the proposed Pierre River Mine project is an independent body, mandated by the Minister of the Environment and the Alberta Energy Regulator to assess the environmental effects of the proposed project and review the Application.
-30-
