ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW PANEL'S REPORT RELEASED

Released on February 28, 1997

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) Minister Lorne
Scott, federal Environment Minister Sergio Marchi and federal Minister
of Natural Resources Anne McLennan today released the report of the
Joint Federal-Provincial Environmental Panel on Uranium Mining
Developments in Saskatchewan on the proposed McArthur River Uranium
Project.

"I appreciate and commend the panel for it's commitment and work in
completing this report which I am making available to the public,"
Scott said. "Careful consideration of each of the recommendations in
this report will assist me in arriving at a decision regarding the
environmental impacts of the McArthur River Project."

As required by provincial law, a public review period of the McArthur
River project's environmental impact statement (EIS) is also being
initiated. Written submissions on the EIS and associated review
documents, including the panel report, will be accepted and carefully
reviewed by the minister before he will make his decision.

Beginning March 7, 1997 and ending April 7, 1997 the EIS and related
documents will be available for public review and comment at specific
review centres (see attachment). A notice announcing the public review
and review centre locations will be published the week of March 2.

The joint panel was appointed in September 1991 under both federal and
provincial environmental assessment legislation to review a number of
uranium mining proposals including the McArthur River Project. The
McArthur River EIS was available for public review from December 1995
to March 1996. Additional information requested as a result of the
initial review was available for public review in June-July 1996 and
the panel held public meetings in various locations across Saskatchewan
in September-October 1996.

Full documentation related to the panel's review, including copies of
the panel's full report, are available at the Uranium Mine Development
Review Office, Unit 114, 2001 Cornwall Street, Regina, S4P 3X9; or at
SERM, Room 142, 3211 Albert Street, Regina, S4S 5W6.

To ensure consideration, written comments should be delivered in person
no later than 5:00 P.M., April 7, 1997 to the address below. Mailed
submissions should be postmarked no later than midnight, April 7, 1997.
All submissions made with respect to the McArthur River proposal are
public documents.

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A backgrounder containing the panel's recommendations is attached. For
more information and for submission of written comments contact:

Malcolm Ross
Environmental Assessment Branch
SERM, 3211 Albert Street
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 5W6
Phone: (306) 787-6190


McArthur River Project EIS Review Centres

Beauval Public Library, Beauval
Black Lake Band Office, Black Lake
Camsell Portage School Library, Camsell Portage
CEAA Library, Hull and Vancouver
John M. Cuellenere Library, Prince Albert
Environment Canada, Winnipeg
Fond du Lac Indian Band, Fond du Lac
Hatchet Lake Band Office, Wollaston Lake
Ile-a-la-Crosse Public Library, Ile-a-la-Crosse
Keethanow Public Library, Stanley Mission
Lakeland Library Region, North Battleford
LaLoche Public Library, LaLoche
LaRonge Public Library, LaRonge
Meadow Lake Branch Library, Meadow Lake
North Battleford Public Library, North Battleford
Pinehouse Peayamechikee, Pinehouse
Regina Public Library, Regina
Saskatchewan Legislative Library, Regina
Saskatchewan Provincial Library, Regina
Saskatoon Public Library, Saskatoon
Southend Library, Southend Saskatchewan
Stoney Rapids Settlement Office, Stoney Rapids
University of Regina Library, Regina
University of Saskatchewan Library, Murray Building, Saskatoon
Uranium City Library, Uranium City
Wisewood Public Library, Buffalo Narrows