Notice of Commencement of an Environmental Assessment

Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project

Forteau; Mistaken Cove (NL)

November 26, 2009 (Updated July 24, 2013) -- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada are required to ensure that a comprehensive study is conducted pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act commencing on April 14, 2010 in relation to the project: Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project.

On July 12, 2010, a series of amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act came into force. As part of these amendments, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is playing an enhanced role in the environmental assessment of this project as it will perform the duties and functions of the responsible authority in relation to this project until the submission of the comprehensive study report to the Minister of the Environment.

As part of its new role, the Agency has posted a notice on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry inviting the public to comment on the project and the conduct of the comprehensive study.

This environmental assessment was started as a screening on November 24, 2009. On, April 14, 2010 as a result of the January 21, 2010 Supreme Court of Canada ruling in MiningWatch Canada v. Canada (Minister of Fisheries and Oceans et al.), it was determined that the environmental assessment in relation to this project will be continued as a comprehensive study.

The Labrador - Island Transmission Link Development Proposal, as presented by the proponent, Nalcor Energy, involves the construction and operation of an approximately 1,100 km long transmission line and associated infrastructure within and between Labrador and the Island of Newfoundland.

The scope of the project includes the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) overhead transmission line commencing at a converter station at Muskrat Falls in central Labrador, proceeding southeast across Labrador, crossing the Strait of Belle Isle via submarine cables, and proceeding across Newfoundland to end at a converter station at Soldiers Pond on the Island's Avalon Peninsula. The project will include the installation of shoreline electrodes (with associated transmission lines) at two locations, L'Anse au Diable on the Labrador side of the Strait of Belle Isle and Dowden's Point in Conception Bay.

An environmental assessment is required in relation to the project because Fisheries and Oceans Canada may take action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act; Natural Resources Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent, Transport Canada may take action in relation to section 5 of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and Public Works and Government Services Canada is the "administrator" of Canada's ownership interest in the seabed of the Strait of Belle Isle.

This project is also subject to the environmental assessment requirements of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As per the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects, this environmental assessment has been identified as a major natural resource project. For additional information refer to the Major Projects Management Office's Tracker that monitors the progress of proposed major resource projects through the federal regulatory review system.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Labrador-Island Transmission Link Project
Bill Coulter, Project Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
1801 Hollis Street, Suite 200
Halifax NS B3J 3N4
Telephone: 902-426-0564
Fax: 902-426-6550
Email: Labrador-Island.TransmissionLink@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

and refer to Registry reference number 10-03-51746