News Release

Greenville to Kincolith Road Receives Environmental Assessment Go-Ahead

VICTORIA - A long-awaited road to link Greenville to Kincolith in northern B.C. has received a project approval certificate from the Province of British Columbia following a joint federal/provincial environmental assessment review. The announcement was made today by federal Environment Minister David Anderson; provincial Environment, Lands and Parks Minister Joan Sawicki; and provincial Employment and Investment Minister Michael Farnworth.

Anderson concluded, based on a number of considerations including the implementation of mitigation measures and a followup program described in the EA report, that the project is unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental effects and that further review was not necessary. He said the way is now clear for the Ministers of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and of Fisheries and Oceans to finalize their approvals and authorizations for the project.

The B.C. ministers have issued the certificate that gives the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, acting on behalf of theB.C. Transportation Financing Authority, approval in principle to build a road from Greenville to Mill Bay. The 24-kilometre, two-lane road will join an existing road between Mill Bay and Kincolith built in 1997 by Nisga'a Economic Enterprises Inc.

Kincolith is the last of the four main communities of the Nisga'a First Nation that will now be joined by road with the completion of this project. The Ministry of Transportation and Highways will maintain the entire road from Greenville to Kincolith as a provincial highway.

"The conditions for construction and maintenance of this highway include strict environmental protection measures," said Anderson. "Fish and grizzly bears have received special consideration in the proponent's plan to ensure that these valuable resources can be maintained or increased."

"As well as protecting fish and grizzly bears, all necessary measures will be taken to safeguard bald eagles, geese and mountain goats during road construction. Building standards for the road will include provisions to protect streams and sensitive areas," Sawicki said.

Sawicki and Anderson added that this joint environmental assessment clearly demonstrates how Canada and the provinces can work together effectively to ensure development projects meet the requirements of both jurisdictions and do not compromise environmental protection.

"The economic benefits of the project are expected to be substantial," said Farnworth. "Kincolith will have an alternative to aircraft and boats to reach other communities in the area. This will mean easier access to health care, schools, consumer goods and transportation corridors to the rest of B.C."

"I am happy to see the project underway. It reflects this government's commitment to ensuring the northern region's continued prosperity," said North Coast MLA Dan Miller. "As a representative of northern communities, I understand the importance of linking the people of Kincolith to the provincial highway system to support the resource and tourism industries of this region."

In October 1996, the Environmental Assessment Office accepted the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' application for a project approval certificate for review. The provincial government, federal government and the Nisga'a have jointly committed $30 million for the design, construction and post-construction monitoring of the entire road from Greenville to Kincolith.

The road project underwent a joint environmental assessment review under the B.C.Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, as agreed to under theCanada-British Columbia Agreement for Environmental Assessment Co-operation.

B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Act,  in effect since June 30, 1995, is designed to identify significant potential environmental and socio-economic effects of development proposals and determine whether the project can avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse impacts. Where both federal and provincial interests are affected, a harmonized environmental assessment review is undertaken.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, in force since January 1995, requires federal authorities to undertake an environmental assessment whenever they carry out a project as a proponent; provide financial assistance; sell, lease or transfer control or administration of land to enable a project to be undertaken; or issue a licence, permit or other authorization.

For more information visit the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office: http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca

For more information:

David Johns
Project Assessment Director
Environmental Assessment Office
(250) 356-0312

Joanne McGachie
Manager, Communications
Environmental Assessment Office
(250) 356-5334

John Mathers
Project Officer
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(604) 666-6961

Gordon Harris
Sr. Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
(819) 953-1856