Public Notice
Tazi Twé Hydroelectric Project — Public Comments Invited

May 19, 2015 — As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is conducting a federal environmental assessment of the proposed Tazi Twé Hydroelectric Project, located in Saskatchewan.

The Agency invites the public to comment on the draft Environmental Assessment Report, a document that includes the Agency's conclusions and recommendations regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, the proposed mitigation measures, the significance of any remaining adverse environmental effects, and the follow-up program.

The Agency also invites the public to comment on the potential environmental assessment conditions for the project. These potential conditions would become legally binding on the proponent if the Minister of the Environment ultimately issues a decision statement indicating that the project may proceed. All comments received will be considered public.

Written comments must be submitted by June 18, 2015 to:

Tazi Twé Hydroelectric Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
9700 Jasper Avenue, Suite 1145
Edmonton, AB  T5J 4C3
Telephone: 780-495-2037
Fax: 780-495-2876
TaziTwe@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

 

Map depicting the location of the project, as described in the current document.

To view the draft Environmental Assessment Report, the potential environmental assessment conditions, or for more information, visit the Agency's website (Registry reference number 80031).

Copies of the draft Environmental Assessment Report and the potential environmental assessment conditions are also available for viewing at the following locations:

Hamlet Office
Johnson Street, Lot 1&2, Block 8
Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-439-2173

Black Lake First Nation Band Office
Black Lake, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-284-2044

Fond du Lac First Nation Band Office
Fond du Lac, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-686-2102

Consistent with the transparency and public engagement elements of CEAA 2012, this is the last of four opportunities for the public to comment on this project. Following this final comment period, the Environmental Assessment Report will be finalized and the Minister of the Environment will issue an environmental assessment decision statement indicating whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, and identifying the conditions that the proponent must meet with respect to mitigation and follow-up requirements in the event that the project is permitted to proceed.

Projects subject to CEAA 2012 are assessed using a science-based approach. If the project is permitted to proceed to the next phase, it will continue to be subject to Canada's strong environmental laws, rigorous enforcement and follow-up, and fines for non-compliance.

The Proposed Project

Black Lake Denesuline First Nation and Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SaskPower) are proposing the construction and operation of a 50 megawatt water diversion type electrical generating station at Elizabeth Falls. The proposed project would be located adjacent to the Fond du Lac River between Black Lake and Middle Lake, on Black Lake Denesuline First Nation Reserve lands in northern Saskatchewan. The proposed project would involve the construction and operation of a water intake, a power tunnel, a powerhouse, a tail race, a submerged weir, a construction camp, a bridge, and access roads.

Document Reference Number: 32

Date modified: