Public Comments Invited - Pacific NorthWest LNG Project

OTTAWA, March 26, 2014 /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 is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG Project, located in British Columbia.

The Pacific NorthWest LNG Project is subject to review under both CEAA 2012 and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act and is undergoing a coordinated environmental assessment process with B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO).

The Agency invites 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)/Application.

The 30-day public comment period is from April 2, 2014 to May 1, 2014. Information sessions will be held during the comment period.

Comments need only be submitted once to either the Agency or the EAO to be considered for both the provincial and federal environmental assessments. All comments received will be considered public. Written comments can be submitted 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 increased fines for non-compliance.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments on the summary of the EIS for the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG Project, located in British Columbia. The summary of the EIS and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80032.
  
  
• 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, and the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects. A public comment period on the draft Environmental Assessment Report 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

• Pacific NorthWest LNG Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
  
  
• Basics of Environmental Assessment (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
  
  
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada's Economic Action Plan)

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Jennifer Kennedy, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of the Environment, 819-997-1441; Greg Leake, Director of Communications, B.C. Environmental Assessment Office, 250-387-2470; Karen Fish, Communications Advisor, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, 613-957-0278, [email protected]