Public Comments Invited - Black Point Quarry Project

OTTAWA, March 4, 2015 /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 (the Agency) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Black Point Quarry Project, located in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia.

This project is also subject to review under Nova Scotia's Environment Act and is undergoing a cooperative environmental assessment with Nova Scotia Environment's Environmental Assessment Branch.

The Agency and Nova Scotia Environment invite the public to comment on the potential environmental effects of the project and the proposed measures to prevent or mitigate those effects as described in a summary of the proponent's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the third of four opportunities for the public to comment on the federal environmental assessment of this project. Comments need only be submitted once to either the Agency or Nova Scotia Environment to be considered for both the provincial and federal environmental assessments. All comments received will be considered public.

Written comments must be submitted by April 3, 2015 to either:

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 fines for non-compliance.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments on the summary of the EIS for the proposed Black Point Quarry Project, located in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. The summary of the EIS and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80064.
• Following this comment period, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will prepare a draft Environmental Assessment Report, setting out its conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the Project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program.
• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will also prepare potential environmental assessment conditions for consideration by the federal Minister of the Environment. These conditions would become legally-binding on the proponent if the federal Minister of the Environment ultimately issues a decision statement indicating that the Project may proceed. A public comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment Report and the potential conditions will be announced at a later date.
• 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.
  

Associated Links

• Black Point Quarry Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Nova Scotia Environment's Environmental Assessment Branch (Government of Nova Scotia)
• Basics of Environmental Assessment (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada's Economic Action Plan)

SOURCE Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Ted Laking, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Anita Szerze, Communications Advisor, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 613-960-1519, [email protected]