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BEPCo Canada Company Exploratory Drilling Proposal
Environmental Assessment to Proceed as a Comprehensive Study
OTTAWA – July 16, 2004 – The Honourable David Anderson, Minister of the Environment, has determined that a comprehensive study is the most appropriate level of environmental assessment for the BEPCo Canada Company's proposed exploratory drilling project. The company is proposing a multi-year, multi-well drilling program to be located approximately 190 km offshore from Halifax. The project is subject to an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
The Minister based his decision on the report and recommendation submitted by the responsible authority, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board. The report contains information on the scope of the BEPCo project, the factors to be considered by the environmental assessment, public comments submitted to the Board, the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects and the ability of the comprehensive study to address issues relating to the project. A copy of the report can be consulted on the Board's Web site at www.cnsopb.ns.ca.
"I am confident that a comprehensive study can address the issues related to the BEPCo project and I look forward to receiving a completed report from the Offshore Board," Minister Anderson said.
The Minister's determination of the environmental assessment track is a new feature of the comprehensive study-level assessment process brought about by improvements to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act which became law in October 2003. Early in the process, the Minister has the option of deciding whether a project should continue to be assessed as a comprehensive study or be referred to an independent review panel. The new requirement is intended to ensure that the process is more predictable. Once the Minister has decided to continue with the comprehensive study, the project cannot be referred to a review panel at a later date.
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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 on this project and others in your area, please consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry.
For more information, media may call:
Gordon Harris
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: (613) 957-0825
Fax: (613) 957-0946
Email: gordon.harris@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
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