The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) assessed the Port of Botwood Wharf Rehabilitation Project, proposed to revitalize infrastructure at the Port of Botwood marine terminal, located on the north shore of the Bay of Exploits in Newfoundland and Labrador. IAAC determined the project's potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means.
To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential impacts within federal jurisdiction and frameworks to address these potential impacts.
IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include, but are not limited to, the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, the Species at Risk Act, the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, the Canada Shipping Act, the Pilotage Act, as well as the Newfoundland and Labrador Water Resources Act, the Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Act, the Newfoundland and Labrador Endangered Species Act, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Historic Resources Act.
As a result of the initial assessment, no further assessment under the IAA is required and the federal impact assessment process is now complete. As a next step, Exploits Valley Port Corporation (the proponent) will be required to seek any necessary federal and provincial authorizations and permits for the project.
The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC's notice of early decision with reasons.
