Notice of approval

Proponent: The Corporation of the Town of Sioux Lookout
Environmental assessment file number: MU-0391-02

Take notice that the period for requiring a hearing, provided for in the Notice of Completion of the Review for the above noted undertaking, expired on April 26, 1999. I received no submissions before the expiration date. The public, including the submitters, had been advised that the Minister was considering applying section 9 of the Act with respect to the Environmental Assessment (which has the effect of eliminating the acceptance decision which was necessary prior to January 1, 1997) and were invited to make submissions on that proposal. No submissions were received.

Pursuant to subsection 12.4(3) of the amended Environmental Assessment Act I order that the provisions of section 9 (other than paragraph 9(2)2 and other than the reference to subsection 6.4(2) in paragraph 9(2)5) apply with respect to the Environmental Assessment. I do not consider it advisable or necessary to hold a hearing. Having considered the purpose of the Act, the Environmental Assessment, the Review and submissions received, I hereby give approval to proceed with the undertaking, subject to conditions set out below.

Conditions

1. Definitions

Proponent
means The Corporation of the Town of Sioux Lookout;
Site
refers to the site located west of Hidden Lake Road about 15 kilometres east of Sioux Lookout, north of Alcona Road (Highway 624);
MOE
refers to the Ministry of the Environment;
Regional Director
refers to the Director of the MOE's Northern Region;
SLC
refers to the Site Liaison Committee; and
EAA
refers to the Environmental Assessment Act.

2. General requirements

  1. The Proponent shall comply with the provisions of the Environmental Assessment all of which are incorporated herein by reference except as provided in these conditions and except as provided in any Part V, Environmental Protection Act, Provisional Certificate Approval for the site, and in any other approvals or permits that may be issued.
  2. These conditions do not prevent more restrictive conditions being imposed under other statutes.
  3. Where a document is required for the Public Record, it shall be provided to the Director of the Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch, MOE, for filing with the Public Record maintained for this undertaking. Additional copies of such documents will be provided by the proponent for public access to:
    • the Regional Director, MOE;
    • the Clerk’s office of the Proponent;
    • public libraries within the community; and
    • the Site Liaison Committee (if functioning)

3. Site Liaison Committee

  1. To ensure both that public concerns are addressed and that appropriate mitigation measures are implemented, the proponent shall, prior to submitting an application for approval of the site under Part V of the EPA, establish and participate in a Site Liaison Committee (SLC). The mandate for the SLC shall be prepared in consultation with the public and shall be submitted to the Regional Director for approval. The Regional Director may amend the mandate submitted to him before approving it. The mandate shall also include an amending procedure. When approved, a copy of the mandate shall be filed by the proponent with the Public Record.
  2. If there is no interest expressed from the public in establishing or participating in the SLC, it may be dispensed with. If the SLC is not functioning, the proponent shall publish a Notice at least once a year, inviting expressions of interest in the formation of the SLC. If there is interest in forming a SLC and members are willing to serve, the SLC shall be established.

Reasons

My reasons for giving approval are:

  1. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment and the Review, the proponent’s conclusion that, on balance, the advantages of this undertaking outweigh its disadvantages appears to be valid.
  2. No other beneficial alternative method of implementing the undertaking was identified.
  3. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment, the Review and the conditions of approval, the construction, operation and maintenance of the undertaking will be consistent with the purpose of the amended Environmental Assessment Act (section 2).
  4. The Government Review Team has indicated no outstanding concerns that are not being addressed through conditions of approval or that would not be addressed in the approval under the Environmental Protection Act. The public review of the Environmental Assessment did not identify any outstanding concerns which can not be so addressed.
  5. I am not aware of any outstanding issues with respect to this undertaking which suggest that a hearing should be required.

Dated the 1st day of March, 2000 at Toronto

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 15th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5