Route 167 North Project in the Direction of the Otish Mountains - Public
Comments Invited and Federal Funding Available

OTTAWA, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) invites the public to comment on the environmental assessment of the Route 167 North Project in the Direction of Otish Mountains and the conduct of the comprehensive study.

The Quebec Department of Transportation is proposing to extend Route 167 North, in the direction of the Otish Mountains, approximately 250 km to the northeast of Albanel Lake.

The Agency is seeking comments from the public on which aspects of the project and its potential effects on the environment are of concern to ensure that those issues are identified for consideration, as appropriate, in the federal environmental assessment.

To assist the public in providing comments, a background document is available on the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry under reference number 10-03-54435. The background document may also be viewed at the following locations:

Chibougamau Municipal Library
601, 3e rue, Chibougamau, QC G8P 3A2

Mistissini Counsel
187, Main Street, Mistissini QC G0W 1C0

Public comments received by December 17, 2010 will be considered. All written submissions received will be considered public as part of the project file. Interested persons or groups are invited to send their comments in the official language of their choice to:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Dominique Lagueux, Project Manager
Route 167 North Project in the Direction of the Otish Mountains
1141, Route de l'Église, 2nd Floor, P.O. Box 9514, Stn Ste-Foy
Québec QC  G1V 4B8
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

This is the first of several public comment periods that will occur during the environmental assessment of the project. Future public participation opportunities will be announced at a later date. 

$50,000 in Funding Available for Public Participation

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is making available $50,000 under its Participant Funding Program to assist groups and individuals to take part in the federal environmental assessment of this project. This funding is intended for activities that will follow the public consultation currently underway. Applications received by the Agency by December 17, 2010 will be considered.

For information on the Participant Funding Program, visit the Agency's website.  To submit an application or to obtain additional information on the program, contact:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Jean-Philippe Croteau
Participant Funding Program 160 Elgin Street, 22^nd Floor, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: [phone] or 613-948-1738
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

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 further information:

Media may contact:

Maxine Leger-Haskell
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-957-0406