Government rejects appeal and green lights again massive aquaculture project

Plans to build one of Canada's largest aquaculture farms in Placentia Bay have moved closer to becoming areality, with the Newfoundland and Labrador government's dismissal of the latest appeal in the project'senvironmental assessment process.

The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment on Monday rejected the Atlantic Salmon Federation's arguments thatthe project's environmental impact statement was flawed and lacked sufficient original data.

• N.L. kicking in $30M to huge Placentia Bay aquaculture project

• Massive Placentia Bay aquaculture project released from environmental assessment again

The project's environmentalassessment process has been ongoing since February 2016, when Grieg NL first submitted its plans to build a land-based salmon hatchery in Marystown, as well as 11 sea cages in the northern part ofPlacentia Bay.

Since then, the project has been through appeals and public reviews, as well as two rounds of court proceedings.

Thislatest decision means the project's environmental impact statement is considered sound, and the project can be once again be considered for release from the assessment process, and continue toward development.

• Judge orders further environmental assessment of proposed Placentia Bay fish farm

Overall, Grieg NL'sproject is expected to cost more than $250 million,of which the province is contributing $30 million in the form of repayable loan.

The project is slated to be up and running in 2025.

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