NR-HQ-01-29E

Federal Government accepts recommendations of the reconvened panel on Cheviot Coal Mine Project

April 9, 2001

OTTAWA – The Government of Canada today announced that it accepts the recommendations from the supplemental Joint Panel report on the proposed Cheviot Coal Mine Project near Hinton, Alberta. The way is now clear for the federal government to release regulatory approval to the proponent, Cardinal River Coals Ltd., for the Cheviot Coal Mine Project.

In its response to the Joint Panel’s report, the federal government considered all 29 recommendations brought forward by the Joint Panel, and concurs with the Panel’s overall recommendation that the project receive regulatory approval.

Based on the Panel’s report, the federal government has concluded that the Cheviot Coal Mine Project could proceed as long as the appropriate mitigation measures outlined by the Panel were put in place to minimize any environmental impacts and regulatory approvals were obtained. The Government of Canada is confident that appropriately designed monitoring and follow-up programs, undertaken by Cardinal River Coals Ltd., will identify the adequacy and effectiveness of mitigation programs.

Based on a successful Federal Court challenge, the Joint Panel was directed to reconsider four main issues pertaining to the review of the Cheviot Coal Mine project proposal: cumulative environmental effects of forestry activities, as well as mining activities in the vicinity of the project, underground mining as an alternative means to the project, and evidence brought forward by the Canadian Nature Federation. The Joint Panel has addressed these issues in its current report. The current Panel report supplements the 1997 Panel report. The Government of Canada took both reports into consideration when formulating its response to the Panel’s recommendations

The Government of Canada is committed to continue consultation with local Aboriginal groups and also encourages Cardinal River Coals Ltd. to maintain the dialogue with these groups.

Consistent with its sustainable development policy, the Government of Canada, in cooperation with the Province of Alberta, continues to be committed to the effective management and monitoring of potential environmental effects arising from the Cheviot Coal Mine project.

• Federal Government Response To The Environmental Assessment Report Of The EUB-CEAA Joint Review Panel On The Cheviot Coal Project (April 2001)
• Federal Government Responds Cheviot Panel Recommendations (October 2, 1997)
• Report of the EUB-CEAA Joint Review Panel (August 2000)