Southern Head Marine Terminal and Associated Works related to Crude Oil Refinery Development Proposal (Archived)

Southern Head (NL)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Environmental Assessment Report
Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement
Final Decision
Follow-up Program

Reference Number

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 07-03-24726

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Transport Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On January 12, 2007, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Transport Canada considered providing federal lands and considered taking action in relation to paragraph 5(1)(a) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act and because Fisheries and Oceans Canada considered taking action in relation to subsection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Newfoundland and Labrador Refining Corporation (NLRC - the proponent) proposes to construct, operate and eventually decommission a new oil refinery at Southern Head, at the head of Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. The development proposal includes a 300,000 barrel/day crude oil refinery and new marine facilities consisting of a heavy lift construction dock, a tug berth, and a marine terminal. The proposed refinery will be capable of expanding to 600,000 barrel/day if required in the future. The refinery infrastructure will include the process facilities, storage tanks, access road, transmission lines, pipelines, water treatment facility, desalination plant, and utilities. Support buildings including administrative and engineering offices, warehouses, maintenance buildings, and a laboratory will also be constructed at the site. TC's responsibilities under the Act arise from: 1) a potential lease requirement for the waterlot within the federally administered harbour of Come By Chance for the marine infrastructure, and; 2) a Section 5(1)(a) approval under the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) to allow for interference to navigation associated with the construction, operation, modification, decommissioning, and/or abandonment of the marine terminal, heavy lift dock, tug basin, desalination plant intake and outfall into the marine environment, and the stream crossing over Come By Chance River. DFO's responsibilities under the Act arise from the potential requirement for issuance of a Fisheries Act Section 35(2) authorization for the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat associated with the construction, operation, modification, decommissioning, and/or abandonment of the marine terminal (causeway, access trestle, jetty (phase 1), jetty expansion (phase 2)); heavy lift construction dock; tug berth; marine water intake and outfall; stream crossing structures; and the infilling of streams and ponds within the refinery footprint.

Environmental Assessment Report

Comprehensive Study Report

Minister's Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Environmental Assessment Decision Statement

Final Decision

A decision was taken on May 1, 2008 and was that the authorities may exercise any power or perform any duty or function with respect to the project because, after taking into consideration the comprehensive study report and taking into account the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, the authorities are of the opinion that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Follow-up Program

It was determined that a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and/or determine the effectiveness of any measures taken to mitigate the adverse environmental effects is required for this project. For further information or to obtain a copy of the follow-up program, please contact Transport Canada.