Environmental Assessment Decision for the Route 389 Improvement Project between Fire Lake and Fermont

February 28, 2019 — Ottawa — Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The Government of Canada is committed to building modern community infrastructure while protecting the environment. Improving road conditions creates stronger links between communities, facilitates the transportation of goods and offers better opportunities for community development.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine McKenna, announced that the proposed Route 389 Improvement Project between Fire Lake and Fermont is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when the mitigation measures are taken into account. In reaching her decision, the Minister considered the Comprehensive Study Report, as well as comments received from First Nations and the public.

The project consists of improving Route 389 between Fire Lake and Fermont in order to increase road safety and the flow of traffic. The project will also improve the link with Newfoundland and Labrador and facilitate access to natural resources.

The project was assessed as a comprehensive study under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (updated in 2010). The Minister has referred the project to the responsible authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Infrastructure Canada. The responsible authorities will ensure that all necessary mitigation measures and follow-up programs, as described in the Comprehensive Study Report, are implemented.

Mitigation measures include the use of trucks with retractable tarpaulins to limit dust emissions during the transportation of granular materials, and the avoidance of all activities (deforestation, stripping, mowing, etc.) that could hinder bird nesting.

Today's announcement reflects the Government of Canada's Interim Approach and Principles for environmental assessments, which ensures that project decisions are informed by meaningful consultations with Indigenous peoples, public input and scientific evidence, including Indigenous Knowledge, and consideration of the project's greenhouse gas emissions.