Elizabeth Falls Hydroelectric Project - Public Comments Invited

OTTAWA, March 1, 2013 /CNW/ - As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency commenced a federal environmental assessment for the proposed Elizabeth Falls Hydroelectric Project located in Saskatchewan on March 1, 2013. The Agency invites the public to comment on which aspects of the environment may be affected by this project and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.

The public can review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines, a document that identifies the potential environmental effects to be taken into consideration and the information and analysis that needs to be included in the proponent's EIS.

Black Lake First Nation and Saskatchewan Power Corporation are proposing the construction and operation of a 42 to 50 megawatt water diversion type electrical generating station at Elizabeth Falls. The proposed project would be located adjacent to the Fond du Lac River between Black Lake and Middle Lake, on Black Lake First Nation Reserve lands in northern Saskatchewan. The proposed project would involve the construction and operation of a water intake, a power tunnel, a powerhouse, a tail race, a submerged weir, a construction camp, a bridge, and access roads.

Written comments must be submitted by March 31, 2013 to:

Elizabeth Falls Hydroelectric Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
167, Lombard Avenue, Suite 101
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0T6
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

To view the draft EIS Guidelines or for more information, visit the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca registry reference number 80031). All comments received will be considered public.

Copies of the draft EIS Guidelines are also available for viewing at the following locations: Offices of the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, Black Lake Denesuline First Nation, Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation and the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan - Northern Region One offices in Stony Rapids, Uranium City and Camsell Portage.

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the second of four opportunities for Canadians to comment on this project. Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. An application period for participant funding and a future public comment period related to the EIS will be announced later.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach.  If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and increased fines.

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.

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Céline Legault
Communications Advisor
Tel.: [phone]