Environment Minister Announces Decision on Toulnustouc Hydroelectric Project

Hull - November 22, 2001 - Environment Minister David Anderson today announced his decision regarding the environmental assessment of the proposed Toulnustouc Hydroelectric Project. The Minister has determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The project, which is a proposal by Hydro-Quebec to build a dam and a 526-megawatt hydroelectric power station on the Toulnustouc River, has been referred back to the responsible authority, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for appropriate action.

Minister Anderson made his determination based on the following considerations:

• the comprehensive study report prepared by the responsible authority;
• the comments received on that report during the public consultation period and Fisheries and Oceans Canada's response to those comments; and
• the implementation of the mitigation measures and a follow-up program described in the report and supporting documents.

The project will therefore not require further environmental assessment by review panel or mediator. The Toulnustouc project was subject to an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, as a result of a requirement to issue authorizations pursuant to the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act. The next step in this process is for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to determine whether to issue these authorizations.

The construction of this $600 million facility, located between the Sainte Anne dam and the Manic 2 reservoir, is part of the development of the potential of the Manicouagan and Toulnustouc River basins located on the northern shore of the St. Lawrence River.

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The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is a federal agency reporting directly to the Minister of the Environment. Environmental assessment is a planning tool used to identify possible significant adverse effects of development projects on the environment, and recommend measures to reduce or eliminate these effects.

For more information, please contact:

Robert Deslauriers
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel: (819) 953-9407