ST. JOHN’S, N.L.
The provincial government has denied a Lumsden man's appeal of its decision to accept Grieg NL’s environmental impact statement (EIS) for the company's Placentia Bay Atlantic salmon aquaculture project.
Bill Bryden appealed the government’s Aug. 28 decision on Oct. 30.
An environmental assessment on Wednesday, Dec. 5, indicated current Municipal Affairs and Environment Minister Graham Letto has determined the Aug. 28 decision, which was made by previous minister Andrew Parsons, stands and the appeal is dismissed.
In his appeal letter, Bryden said he was challenging the government’s decision because a land-based feasibility study had not been completed as part of the EIS, which he stated was a requirement.
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The environmental impact statement submitted by Grieg NL “contained an acceptable evaluation of the land-based farm operation,” Letto said in his response.
“The decision to release the undertaking was made after a full consideration of all relevant facts and a reasonable decision reached based on those facts.”
The provincial government recently dismissed an appeal of the project from the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF).
Grieg NL’s Placentia Bay aquaculture project will see an Atlantic salmon hatchery located in Marystown’s marine industrial park and an ocean-based sea farm in Placentia Bay.
Letto’s full decision on Bryden’s appeal can be viewed at https://www.mae.gov.nl.ca/env_assessment/projects/Y2016/1834/Mr.%20Bryden%20Appeal%20Response.pdf.