MacKay Operating Corporation - MacKay River Commercial Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage Project (Archived)

Fort MacKay (AB)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 10-03-51663
Fisheries and Oceans Canada: 09‑HCAA‑CA1‑00187

Environmental Assessment Type

Comprehensive study

Other Assessment Process

Government of Alberta

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On July 6, 2010, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project 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)

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 17, 2009. 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 scope of this project includes the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning for all components associated with the proposed MacKay River Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Commercial Project, including any road accesses and water course crossings, field facilities, well pads, processing facilities, steam generation facilities and water extraction facilities. The commercial project is located approximately 27.5 km northwest of Fort McMurray, AB, within the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Townships 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, and 93 Ranges 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16W4M.

Final Decision

The environmental assessment was terminated on July 11, 2011 because the project as proposed by the proponent no longer triggered the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.