Notice of Decision to Continue as a Comprehensive Study

Former Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project
Gunnar (SK)

OTTAWA – February 2,  2009 - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency), has determined that a comprehensive study is the most appropriate type of environmental assessment for the proposed Former Gunnar Mine Site Rehabilitation Project in Northern Saskatchewan.

The Minister based his decision on a report and recommendation submitted by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Natural Resources Canada, the responsible authorities for the project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The report contains information on the scope of the proposed project, the factors to be considered in the environmental assessment and the scope of those factors, public concerns in relation to the project, the potential of the project to cause adverse environmental effects and the ability of the comprehensive study to address issues relating to the project.

The responsible authorities, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Natural Resources Canada will now continue the comprehensive study and will provide the public with an opportunity to participate in the environmental assessment. The responsible authorities will submit their report to the Minister of the Environment and to the Agency, and at that time, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the findings and recommendations of the report before the Minister renders his final decision.