ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT EA PROCESS

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA) PROCESS

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GENERIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
Scoping
Analysis of effects
Identification of mitigation
Evaluation of significance
Post Decision Activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKPROPOSAL
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Notification of authorities, public
  Project description, screening
  Scoping
  Analysis of effects
  Identification of mitigation
  Evaluation of significance
  Post decision activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKSCOPING
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Scoping
  Scope of assessment
  Scope of project
  Analysis of effects
  Identification of mitigation
  Evaluation of significance
  Post decision activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKANALYSIS OF
EFFECTS
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Scoping
  Identification and assessment methods
  Project and environmental components
  Analysis of effects
  Identification of mitigation
  Evaluation of significance
  Post decision activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKIDENTIFICATION
OF MITIGATION
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Scoping
  Analysis of effects
  Prevention, reduction, minimization
  Regulatory, management measures
  Identification of mitigation
  Evaluation of significance
  Post decision activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKEVALUATION OF
SIGNIFICANCE
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Scoping
  Analysis of effects
  Identification of mitigation
Regulatory, standards, thresholds
Significance evaluation framework
Evaluation of significance
  Post decision activity
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORKPOST DECISION
ACTIVITY
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Scoping
  Analysis of effects
  Identification of mitigation
  Evaluation of significance
  Licence, permit, approval
  Monitor, inspect, surveillance, audit
  Post decision activity
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SCREENING?

• Process to determine whether or not a project
  requires an environmental assessment and to what
  degree the assessment is required
• Conducted as early as practical prior to
  irrevocable commitments and decisions
• Can be carried out by the proponent or authority
  having jurisdiction

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SCREENING PROCESS
No Assessment
Process stops
Proposal
Screening Criteria
Additional Information?
Assessment / Level of Assessment
Process begins
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SCREENING CRITERIA

• Characteristics of the project
• size
• use of natural resources
• production of waste
• Location of the project
• existing land use
• carrying capacity
• absorption capacity
• Nature of the effects
• magnitude
• geographic extent
• frequency and duration

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APPROACHES

• 1. Use of policy delineations based on project
  type or size, e.g. World Bank
• A - projects that need limited environmental
  review
• B - projects that need some preliminary review
• C - normally do not need an environmental
  analysis
• D - beneficial and emergency recovery projects
• 2. Conduct initial environmental review
• Determine if an assessment is required or
  excluded by legislation
• Obtain additional information to make a
  determination if a detailed assessment is required

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SCREENING RESULTS

• Simple assessment 98 (many more are excluded)
• Screening (CEAA)
• Complex assessment LT2
• Comprehensive Study (CEAA)
• Environmental Impact Statement (MEA)
• Major assessment - LT1
• Panel Review (CEAA)
• Public Hearing (MEA)

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SCREENING METHODS

• Decision-makers discretion - need assessed on a
  case-by-case basis
• Initial environmental examination (pre-screening)
  - based on existing information
• Regulations - e.g. Canadian Environmental
  Assessment Act
• Project lists (with or without thresholds) -
  established criteria used to determine which
  projects undergo environmental assessment
• Criteria - guides to determine likely
  significance
• Exclusion lists - specific projects with
  insignificant environmental effects

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SCOPING?

• Process used to identify important issues,
  public concerns, environmental components and
  potentially significant environmental effects to
  be examined in an environmental assessment
• establishes the boundaries for an environmental
  assessment
• focuses the assessment on relevant issues and
  concerns
• reduces the risk of including inappropriate
  components or excluding components that should be
  assessed

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SCOPING ACTIVITIES

• Scope of project
• Principal project
• Undertakings
• Other projects
• Scope of assessment
• Public consultation
• Approaches
• Methods
• Boundaries
• Spatial
• Temporal
• Environmental issues
• Public concerns

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CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Start-up Questions
• Does CEAA apply?
• Is the proposal a project under CEAA?
• Is the project excluded?
• Does the project involve a Federal Authority?
• Is there a Section 5 trigger?
• Federal proponent
• Federal funds
• Federal lands
• Federal approval, licence, etc.

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DOES THE ACT APPLY?

• Is the proposal a project?
• Is the project included?
• Is there a Federal Authority?
• Is there a Section 5 trigger?
• if yes, then CEAA applies

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DOES THE CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT
APPLY?
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IS THE PROPOSAL A PROJECT?

• Is the project an undertaking in relation to a
  physical work?
• Is the project on the Inclusion List Regulations?
• if yes, the proposal is a project

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IS THE PROJECT EXCLUDED?

• Is the project on the Exclusion List Regulations?
• Is the project otherwise excluded by national
  emergency, prevention of damage to property or
  environment, or national interest (Section 7)?
• if yes, the project is excluded

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IS THERE A FEDERAL AUTHORITY?

• Is there a Federal Authority?
• Minister of the Crown
• Agency of the government of Canada
• Department or corporation under the Financial
  Administration Act
• Any other body by regulation under CEAA
• if yes, there is a FA

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IS THERE A S.5 TRIGGER?

• Does the Federal Authority
• Propose the project?
• Make payment or provides financial assistance?
• Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of lands?
• Issue a permit or license, grant an approval (Law
  List Regulations)?
• if yes, there is a s.5 trigger

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MANITOBA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Process explanation exists
• General process description available
• Process evolving with Manitobas Sustainable
  Development Act
• Environment Act being amended
• Details in project-specific guidelines
• Harmonization with federal process
• information bulletin

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MANITOBA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS
                                                 
                   
  Proposal
  Screening
Further Information
Public Hearing
Licence Decision
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LICENCING PROCEDURES REGULATION

• Requires submission of a proposal
• Defines information requirements for proposal
• Director may waive requirements
• Identifies timelines for review of development
  proposals

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PROPOSAL FORM

• Tombstone information
• Description of development
• Schedule
• Funding
• Environmental assessment
• description of potential impacts
• environmental management practices to prevent or
  mitigate adverse impacts
• Supporting documents

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CEAA Notification
Screening
Proposal
Additional Information
Public Hearings
Licence Decision
Public Registry Public Review MC Review TAC
Review Harmonization
Public Notification
MANITOBA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS
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LICENSING PROCESS

• 1. File proposal (mandatory)
• proposal form
• public notification
• one-window
• 2. Project screening (mandatory)
• public and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
  review
• public registry
• harmonization
• proponent notified

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LICENSING PROCESS (cont.)

• 3. Further information (discretionary)
• Class 1
• additional information / detailed plans
• guidelines instructions for further studies
• Class 2
• additional information / assessment report
• guidelines instructions for public consultation
• Class 3
• same as Class 2
• Minister directs

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LICENSING PROCESS (cont.)

• 4. Public hearing (discretionary)
• Minister causes conduct
• Clean Environment Commission (CEC) conducts
• advice / recommendations to Minister
• 5. Licensing decision (mandatory)
• issue / refuse license
• terms and conditions
• appeal

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Next Class

• Read about the Canadian Environmental Assessment
  Act (CEAA) and regulations
• Visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment
  Agency Website - www.ceaa.gc.ca
• Review the definitions project, environment,
  environmental effect, federal authority,
  responsible authority, mitigation, etc.
• Come to class prepared to discuss the Act and
  its application to projects in Canada