Georges Bank Review Panel to Begin Hearings

The Georges Bank Review Panel will begin public hearings in Yarmouth on Jan. 11, 1999.

The hearings are the final phase of a public review of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of oil and gas exploration on Georges Bank, off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia.

In 1988, as a result of federal and provincial legislation, a moratorium was placed on petroleum exploration and drilling on Georges Bank. Under the legislation, the review panel is required to make a report and recommendations on the result of the public consultations to the provincial and federal ministers responsible for the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord.

Hearings will be held in Yarmouth from Jan. 11 to 14; in Shelburne, Jan. 18-19; in Lunenburg, Jan. 21; and in Halifax, Jan. 25-28.

"We are requesting that any group or individual planning on making a presentation at the hearings to contact our office not later than Dec. 15 so that we can best accommodate preferred time and location, and therefore schedule these presentations," said panel chair John Mullally.

He said the conduct of the hearings will be structured "but non-legal in format to make the process more accessible for all participants."

Current plans are for the hearings to begin each day at 9:30 a.m. "Some evening sessions are likely since we intend to make sure that everyone who wants to be heard will be given the opportunity," said Mr. Mullally.

The panel has previously conducted introductory meetings, information sessions and workshop discussions at various locations across the province, as well as one session in New Brunswick.

The legislation requires the panel to report the results of its review and make recommendations to the two ministers by July 1, 1999. The ministers are required to make a decision by Jan. 1, 2000.

The review panel's office is at 1713 Bedford Row, Halifax, B3J 3C9; telephone 902-496-5119, 902-496-5454, or toll-free 1-800-370-2282.