Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Derrick Bragg has advised Envirosoil Ltd. that its proposal for a drill mud processing facility in Conception Bay South will require an environmental preview report (EPR).
The proposed facility has some residents worried about potential environmental effects.
If approved by the province and the town, it would be located on Hops Street in the industrial park off Peacekeepers Way and Fowler’s Road, within the Manuels River watershed — 395 metres from the river — and less than 200 metres from homes.
According to the environmental assessment bulletin released on Tuesday by the province, an EPR is necessary to provide additional information about the project.
The bulletin says information required in the EPR includes “details on the pelletizing plant, pellet quality and the storage of waste and final products; details on the quality of surface water and process water effluent, including sampling schedules and results prior to discharge; additional information with respect to groundwater in the area, including baseline quality of groundwater wells; and a hydrogeological assessment to verify groundwater flows near residences and Manuels River.”
An environmental assessment committee will be appointed to provide scientific and technical advice to Bragg, and guidance to Envirosoil on the information requirements.
According to the bulletin, Bragg will issue guidelines to the proponent to assist with the development of the EPR.
