News Release
Public Comments Invited – Rainy River Project

October 9, 2014 — Ottawa — 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) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Rainy River Project, located in Ontario.

The Agency invites the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment Report, a document that includes the Agency's conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program.

The Agency also invites the public to comment on the potential environmental assessment conditions for the project. The Agency is contemplating these potential conditions that may be applied in the event that the Minister of the Environment ultimately decides that the project may be permitted to proceed.

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the last of four opportunities for the public to comment on this project. All comments received will be considered public. Written comments must be submitted by November 8, 2014 to:

Rainy River Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
907-55 St. Clair Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M2
Telephone: 416-952-1576
Fax: 416-952-1573
RainyRiver@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and fines for non-compliance.

Quick Facts

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is seeking public comments on the draft Environmental Assessment Report on the proposed Rainy River Project, located in Ontario, and on the potential environmental assessment conditions that may be applied in the event that the Minister of the Environment ultimately permits the project to proceed. The draft Environmental Assessment Report, the potential environmental assessment conditions, and more information on this project are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry website, reference number 80007.
• Following this final comment period, the Environmental Assessment Report will be finalized and the Minister of the Environment will issue an environmental assessment decision statement indicating whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and identifying the conditions that the proponent must meet with respect to mitigation and follow-up requirements in the event that the project is permitted to proceed.
• 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

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

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Contacts

Ted Laking
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Sofie McCoy-Astell
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
613-960-1519
Sofie.McCoy-Astell@ceaa-acee.gc.ca