Draft Agreement on Tar Ponds Review Available

The Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency are seeking public comments on a draft agreement for a joint panel review of the proposed Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Remediation Project.

The agreement is an important step in the environmental assessment process. It represents a commitment on the part of the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia to move forward co-operatively to conduct an efficient and timely panel review. The joint panel review process will provide ample opportunities for public involvement.

A copy of the draft agreement can be found on the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ess/ea/new.htm and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/index_e.cfm .

The printed draft document can also be obtained from or viewed at the centres listed below.

Written comments, in either official language, received no later than July 7, 2005, will be considered.

After taking public comments into account, the agreement will be finalized and made public.

The final agreement will set out the mandate and authorities of the joint review panel, its composition, and project review procedures.

The joint review will satisfy the requirements of both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Nova Scotia Environment Act.

The draft agreement is available at these centres:
Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour 5151 Terminal Rd. Halifax 902-424-5300

Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour 295 Charlotte St. Sydney 902-563-2100

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Atlantic Region 1801 Hollis St., Suite 200 Halifax

Comments should be directed to:
Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Review P.O. Box 431 Sydney, N.S. B1P 6H2 E-mail: [email protected]

All comments received will be considered public and will become part of the public registry for the project.

To register as an interested party and to be kept informed of the review activities, provide a full mailing address, an e-mail address and/or a fax number, to the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens Review at the address listed above.