![News Release](/web/20070410134310im_/http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/images/nr-hdr_e.gif)
PROPOSED HALIFAX AND SAINT JOHN LATERAL PIPELINE PROJECTS CLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PHASE
OTTAWA, October 4, 1999 - Federal Minister
of the Environment David Anderson has determined that the proposed Halifax
and Saint John lateral pipeline projects are not likely to cause significant
adverse environmental effects. The Minister has, therefore, referred the
projects back to the Chairman of the National Energy Board and the Minister
of Fisheries and Oceans for appropriate action.
Minister Anderson made his determination on the two projects based on
a consideration of the following:
- the environmental assessment report prepared on
behalf of the Board and Fisheries and Oceans, as responsible authorities
for the project;
- public comments received during public consultation on
the environmental assessment reports and the responsible authorities'
response to them; and
- the implementation of the mitigation measures and a follow-up
program described in the report.
A follow-up program is designed to determine the effectiveness of measures
taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of the project, and
verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment of the project.
Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline Management Ltd. (M&NP) applied to
the National Energy Board (the Board) for a certificate of public convenience
and necessity to construct and operate the proposed Halifax Lateral pipeline.
The pipeline will extend 124 km from the M&NP's main transmission
pipeline near Stellarton, Nova Scotia, to Nova Scotia Power Inc.'s
Tufts Cove generating station in the Halifax Regional Municipality. In
addition, the pipeline crosses navigable waters, thereby requiring an
authorization from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast Guard.
M&NP also applied to the Board for a certificate of public convenience
and necessity to construct and operate the proposed pipeline in New Brunswick.
The pipeline also crosses navigable waters, thereby requiring an authorization
from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Coast guard. The Saint John
Lateral will connect the mainline approximately two km south of Big Kedron
Lake, New Brunswick and extend a total of 102 km toward the city of Saint
John.
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Environmental assessment is a planning tool used to identify possible
adverse effects of development projects on the environment - the air,
water, land and living organisms, including human populations. By eliminating
or reducing these effects, project proponents can avoid expensive, and
sometimes controversial corrective action once the project has been completed.
For more information, please contact:
John P. Fraser
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Gordon
Harris
Sr. Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(819) 953-1856
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