FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER ANNOUNCES DECISION ON IRVING LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS FACILITY AND MARINE TERMINAL

OTTAWA - August 06, 2004 -- The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment, today announced that the Irving Oil Limited proposal to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas storage facility and marine terminal near Saint John, New Brunswick will not require referral to a mediator or review panel under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Minister Dion has referred the project back to the responsible authorities for appropriate action.

The Minister has determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. The Minister based his decision on the following:

• the comprehensive study report, including the conclusions and recommendations submitted by the responsible authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and Transport Canada;
• public comments received during the consultation period on the comprehensive study report and the responsible authorities' response to these comments;
• the implementation of mitigation measures identified in the report; and
• the implementation of a follow-up program.

Irving Oil Limited has submitted a proposal to construct and operate a liquefied natural gas receiving, storage and processing facility. The proposed facility would be located at an existing deepwater oil terminal (Irving Canaport) near Saint John, New Brunswick.

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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.

For more information:
Élise Dhaussy
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel.: (613) 957-0406
Fax: (613) 957-0946
E-mail: elise.dhaussy @ceaa-acee.gc.ca