NOTICE OF APPLICATION
ATHABASCA OIL SANDS AREA
ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD
APPLICATION NO. 1325847
ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT
APPLICATION NO. 42-00000094
AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT
WATER ACT FILE NO. 199406
SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
SOUTH TAILINGS POND PROJECT
Take Notice that Suncor Energy Inc. (Suncor) has applied to the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and Alberta Environment (AENV) for approval to construct, operate and reclaim an external tailings pond (South Tailings Pond Project) to be located southeast of the existing Millennium Mine. The proposed project (Project) is located to the southeast of Ponds 8A and 8B which are part of the Project Millennium tailings system. The Project will be situated primarily in the southern half of Township 91, Ranges 8 and 9 and encroaches on the northern portion of Township 90, Range 9, W4M. The Project footprint falls within an area of approximately 6 km (east-west) by 5.5 km (north-south); the total development footprint for the Project equals 2,355 ha. The Project is designed with a maximum storage capacity of 350 million cubic metres. Construction of the overburden starter dyke is expected in 2005, tailings deposition in 2006 and filling complete in 2012. The tailings pond would supply extra storage capacity needed for the continued operation of the current mining and extraction facilities. The proposed project would also include:
· Drainage ditches that divert surface runoff from around the pond, and
· Seepage interception system that will prevent pond seepage from migrating to McLean Creek.
Nature of the Application
In support of the proposal, Suncor has prepared and submitted the following:
· Application No. 1325847 to the EUB pursuant to Section 13 of the Oil Sands Conservation Act to amend approval No. 8535 to construct, operate and reclaim an external tailings pond. Suncor has also prepared and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the Director, Environmental Assessment, Northern Region. The EIA report forms part of the application to the EUB.
· Application No. 42-00000094 to AENV under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) for construction, operation, and reclamation of the South Tailings Pond Project.
· Application (File No. 199406) to AENV under the Water Act (WA) to authorize water management plans including the diversion of water, both surface and groundwater, under Section 50(1) and 54 of the WA.
Additional Information
To obtain additional information or a copy of the applications and the EIA report, free of charge, contact:
Suncor Energy Inc.
Oil Sands
P.O. Box 4001
Fort McMurray, Alberta, T9H 3E3
Attention: Sue Lowell
Telephone: (780) 743-6992
Fax: (780) 791-8344
Email: voyageurproject@suncor.com
For information regarding EUB procedures contact:
Fort McMurray Office
Brad Bricker
Telephone: (780) 743-7487
Fax: (780) 743-7141
Email: brad.bricker@gov.ab.ca
Copies of the applications and the EIA report are available for viewing at the following locations:
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Fort McMurray Office
2nd Floor, Provincial Building
9915 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2K4
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Information Services, Calgary Office
Main Floor, 640 – 5th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P 3G4
Telephone (403) 297-8190
Alberta Environment, Northern Region
Attention: Patti Humphrey
111, 4999 – 98th Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3
Oil Sands Discovery Centre
515 MacKenzie Blvd.
Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 4X3
To File a Statement of Concern
Under Section 73 of EPEA and Section 109 of the WA, any person who is directly affected by the EPEA application or the WA application may submit a written statement of concern. Statements of concern under EPEA and WA must be submitted by March 15, 2004. Failure to file a statement of concern may affect the right to file a Notice of Appeal with the Environmental Appeal Board. Please quote Application No. 42-00000094 (EPEA), or File No. 199406 (WA) when submitting a statement of concern. If no statements of concern are received, the EPEA and WA applications may be approved without further notice. Please submit your statement to:
Director, Northern Region
Alberta Environment
Regulatory Approvals Centre
Main Floor, Oxbridge Place
9820 – 106th Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6
Telephone: (780) 427-6311
Fax: (780) 422-0154
Note that any statements filed regarding these applications are public records, which are accessible by the public.
This notice of Application is being distributed to advise interested persons that the applications are available and the EUB and other government Departments are now undertaking review of the application.
Issued at Calgary, Alberta, on January 7, 2004
ALBERTA ENERGY AND UTILITIES BOARD
Michael J. Bruni, Q.C., General Counsel
