Public Comments Invited - Kemess Underground Project

OTTAWA, Feb. 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Kemess Underground Project, located in British Columbia (B.C). To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.

The Government of B.C. has requested the substitution of the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. The Agency is also seeking comments on this request.

In accordance with CEAA 2012, the Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, must approve the substitution request if she is satisfied that the conditions for substitution under CEAA 2012 are met and if she is of the opinion that the B.C. process would be an appropriate substitute for an environmental assessment of this project by the Agency.

All comments received will be considered public. Written comments must be submitted by March 13, 2014 to:

Kemess Underground Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
410-701 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1C6
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments on the summary of the project description and the substitution request for the proposed Kemess Underground Project, located in British Columbia. The summary of the project description and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80063.
  
  
• The Government of B.C.'s request is in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to enable efficient and timely use of the CEAA 2012 substitution provisions. The MOU and a Backgrounder on substitution under CEAA 2012 are available on the Agency's website.
  
  
• The Agency will post a decision on its website stating whether an environmental assessment is required. A notice of the Minister's decision on the substitution request will also be posted to the Agency's website if it is determined that a federal environmental assessment is required.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Associated Links

• Kemess Underground Project (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
  
  
• Basics of Environmental Assessment (Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency)
  
  
• Responsible Resource Development (Canada's Economic Action Plan)
  
  
  

SOURCE: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

For further information:

Jennifer Kennedy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Karen Fish
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-957-0278
[e-mail]