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The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has released the final Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The C-NLOPB is responsible for overseeing offshore oil and gas activities within its jurisdiction and ensuring activities proceed in an environmentally acceptable manner. A SEA is a broad examination of the regional environment that provides a foundation for program planning and informs future decisions, such as the potential issuance of exploration licences. It provides an overview of the biophysical and socio-economic environment, including potential environmental sensitivities.

The Eastern Newfoundland SEA was prepared with the assistance of a working group consisting of representatives from federal and provincial government departments and agencies and non-governmental organizations. The preparation of the Eastern Newfoundland SEA was guided by a Scoping Document published by the C-NLOPB on May 8, 2013 as well as by public and stakeholder consultation sessions held in the Fall of 2013. The Eastern Newfoundland SEA updates the 2003 Orphan Basin SEA and extends the geographic coverage to include additional areas to the south and east.

Any petroleum-based activity proposed for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area will be the subject of a project-specific environmental assessment, which would form part of the basis for a C-NLOPB authorization and set out any mitigations or restrictions to be applied before a proposed activity can proceed. Safety and environmental protection are paramount considerations in all C-NLOPB authorizations.

Press Release, August 06, 2014