Environmental Assessment Flashcards
What is an environmental assessment (EA)?
It’s the a legal/institutional process of identifying future impacts of current and proposed development based on applicable laws and policies (i.e., what would happen if it was or wasn’t implemented?)
What are EAs used for?
They identify, predict, evaluate and mitigate biophysical and social effects prior to major decisions being made
What are the objectives of an EA?
- they provide info for decision making by looking at consequences
- include public participation
- use procedures & methods to monitor & mitigate
- they contribute to sustainable development
What factors are considered in an EA?
- biophysical effects (cumulative effects on the natural world in conjunction with other human impacts)
- socio-economic (i.e., noise, property values)
- significance of effects (how many affected? how much affected?)
- public comments/concerns (KEY: noting values)
- mitigation measures (i.e., wildlife barrier along road)
- potential alternative means for carrying out a project
What are the levels of public participation?
- passive participation
- consultation participation (i.e., hearings)
- interactive participation (mediation - key stakeholders)
Who tend to be the key stakeholders in interactive participation?
Aboriginal communities b/c of their location, land-based culture and traditional knowledge
In Canada, who usually participates in public participation?
people who are directly affected or those with ecological knowledge to receive funding
Who is responsible for what in Canada (gov’t)
- federal: crown land, fish, migratory birds
- nuclear safety commission: energy board
- provincial/municipal: local matters
When was the original Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) created and then switched to current?
First created in 1995, they changed the act in 2012 - it is the most important act Canada has to protect the environment
Describe the pre-2012 CEAA
- screening process: lowest level where info about project is sent in, minimal public participation & this accounted for the majority of assessments
- comprehensive studies: assesses impacts, comes up with alternative means & has mandatory public consultation
- review panel: highest level, appointed experts to panel & held public hearings
Describe the post-2012 CEAA
- project list approach: reduced number of assessments, changes to current projects excluded
- provincial substitutes: less rigorous & reduced scope considered appropriate
- reduced timelines: limited time to prepare assessments
What is the problem with a reduction in factors considered from pre to post-2012 CEAA?
- the impacts on renewable resources no longer required (i.e., trees, water)
- do not have to include changes to non-aquatic species at risk or the impact on habitats
- no purpose of a project required and no explanation to the effect it will have on projects in the proximity
- creates a WEAKENED ACT - Trudeau gov’t going to change
What did the Prosperity gold/copper mine in Fish Lake, BC want to do?
- to open a 20 year operating mine with significant profit
- would destroy fish lake and little fish lake, but promising to build a new lake
- pre-2012 CEAA, so had to go through review panel
What did the EA findings show for the Prosperity gold/copper mine?
Significant negative impacts
- fish and fish habitat destroyed, new lake could not be self-sustainable
- on traditional lands with cultural importance
- Aboriginal land claim dispute ongoing & their established rights would be infringed
- grizzly bears affected by cumulative activities
Project was rejected
Even though the prosperity mine project was rejected, what was the provincial decision & updates?
- province found same effects as EA, but justified t economically - did not consult Aboriginals
- 2013: company redeveloped project & was rejected again, so gov’t was sued
- 2014: supreme court ruled land not aboriginal owned - no rights to fish there
- 2016: certificate amendment occurred
