Public Comments Invited and Federal Funding Available - Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project

OTTAWA, Jan. 17, 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 commenced a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project, located 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia. The Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board has also commenced an environmental review of this project and will coordinate with the Agency, to the extent possible, the conduct of a single environmental assessment review process.

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, as detailed in the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines.

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. All comments received will be considered public. Written comments must be submitted by February 16, 2014 to:

Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200-1801 Hollis Street
Halifax, NS B3J 3N4
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

Federal Funding Available

The Agency is making available funding to support the participation of the public and Aboriginal groups in upcoming steps of the federal environmental assessment of this project. Applications received by February 16, 2014 will be considered. To apply for funding, contact the Participant Funding Program by writing to [email protected], or by calling 1-866-582-1884.

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 draft EIS Guidelines for the proposed Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project, located 250 kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia. The draft EIS Guidelines and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80058.
  
  
• Following this comment period, the Agency will finalize and issue the EIS Guidelines to the proponent. Future public comment periods on the proponent's EIS and the draft Environmental Assessment Report will be announced at later dates.
  
  
• Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to enable their participation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment, which include reviewing and providing comments on the EIS and draft Environmental Assessment Report. Recipients and the amount of funding allocated 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

• Shelburne Basin Venture Exploration Drilling Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
  
  
• Participant Funding Program (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

Sofie McCoy-Astell
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-960-1519
[email protected]