News Release

Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline Receives Environmental Assessment Go-Ahead

Ottawa - October 5, 2000 - Canada's Environment Minister David Anderson today announced his approval of the environmental assessment of the Swan Valley Gasification Project, a proposed natural gas pipeline in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Minister concluded that further environmental assessment by a review panel or mediator was not necessary and referred the project back to the responsible authorities for the next appropriate steps. The responsible authorities for the project are the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Western Economic Diversification, Fisheries and Oceans Canada-Canadian Coast Guard, and the National Energy Board.

The pipeline will extend from an existing facility in Saskatchewan to a distribution network in the Swan River Valley region of Manitoba, between Benito and Minitonas. The transmission pipeline will originate near Norquay, Saskatchewan and travel in an easterly direction for approximately 37 km to a proposed high pressure turbine metre station located inside the Manitoba border. Originating from the same turbine station, the proposed distribution pipeline will then extend in a north-easterly direction for approximately 58 km to an area south of Swan River, Manitoba.

Following a review of public comments and the environmental assessment report, Minister Anderson concluded that, with the implementation of all mitigation measures and a follow-up program, the project is unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Potential effects of the project are primarily associated with the construction of the pipeline. Early project planning and field programs allowed for sound mitigation strategies, including conscientious pipeline route selection, careful project scheduling, and proactive reclamation programs.

The Swan Valley Gasification Project was subject to an environmental assessment process known as a comprehensive study. Projects subject to comprehensive study are set out in regulations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Projects like this one are complex and have the potential to cause adverse environmental effects, and therefore, require in-depth study.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency is a federal agency reporting to the Minister of the Environment. Environmental assessment is a planning tool used to identify the possible adverse effects of development projects on the environment.

For more information, please contact:

Johanne Beaulieu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Tel.: (819) 953-2101

William McCullough
Communications Advisor
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Tel: (819) 997-3071