Search results
Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like 1. What is an environmental assessment?, 2. What is an environmental assessment form (EAF)?, 3. Who prepares an EAF? and more.
- Chapter 4: Environmental Policy and Regulation - Quizlet
Chapter 4: Environmental Policy and Regulation. The...
- Chapter 4: Environmental Policy and Regulation - Quizlet
Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like what is scoping, what an environmental baseline, environmental baseline assessment consider and more.
Chapter 4: Environmental Policy and Regulation. The environmental policy cycle includes several components: problem definition, agenda setting, policy establishment, policy implementation, and assessment/evaluation. What problem may be encountered in the assessment/evaluation stage?
Environmental Science Chapter 4 Review quiz for 9th grade students. Find other quizzes for Science and more on Quizizz for free!
- Overview
- What is an environmental assessment under CEAA 2012?
- What projects are subject to CEAA 2012?
- Who leads an environmental assessment under CEAA 2012?
- What is the purpose of an environmental assessment?
- When should an environmental assessment happen?
- What are the benefits of environmental assessment?
- What is examined during a federal environmental assessment?
- Who is involved in environmental assessments?
- How can the public participate in an environmental assessment?
This document provides guidance on federal environmental assessments commenced under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). It is retained for the completion of transitional environmental assessments that commenced prior to the Impact Assessment Act and explains the process for those designated projects remaining under that Act. For more information on transitional environmental assessments, please consult the Legislation and Regulations page.
Episode 1: Federal environmental assessments in a nutshell - Transcript
Major projects are developed in communities all across Canada.
At the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, we work to make sure they are safe and sustainable.
Before a project is built, an environmental assessment examines its potential effects on the environment and works to reduce or eliminate them.
Your participation is key. At many stages of the process, Canadians – including Indigenous Peoples – are invited to share their views.
An environmental assessment is a process to identify, predict and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project. This process happens before decisions about a proposed project are made.
An environmental assessment can take place when a company or organization (referred to as "the proponent") seeks to carry out a certain type of project. More specifically, under CEAA 2012, environmental assessments may be required for "designated projects": projects involving a physical activity listed in the Regulations Designating Physical Activities (also known as the Project List). A designated project is one that has the potential to cause significant adverse effects on the environment. Examples of such projects include:
•the construction of a mine
•the development of a large new marine terminal
•the extension of a highway
•the construction of new waterways
•the development of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility
Environmental assessments of projects under CEAA 2012 are conducted by either:
•a "responsible authority," one of three federal agencies
•the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency)Footnote 2
•the National Energy BoardFootnote 3
•the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, or
•a review panel — a group of independent and impartial experts appointed by the Minister. Their work is supported by the Agency.
An environmental assessment supports planning and decision-making. Through the environmental assessment process, the potential adverse environmental effects of a project are identified. Examples of "adverse effects" are:
•the loss or decline of fish, migratory birds, or marine plants
•changes across a border between provinces
•the contamination of foods relied upon by Indigenous peoples
An environmental assessment should begin as early as possible so the proponent can consider the analysis for their proposed plans. For example, the proponent can incorporate mitigation measures into their work that will address the project's potential adverse effects.
Environmental assessment supports better decision-making by considering how a project's design could be optimized to minimize or outright avoid negative effects on the environment. An assessment identifies a project's potential effects. It also identifies a scope of factors to be considered, including mitigation measures. Thinking of these things early on in the project planning cycle gives proponents a chance to improve or revise plans.
Other benefits include:
•creating opportunities for meaningful public participation and engagement with Indigenous peoples
•advancing and addressing any potential impacts to Indigenous rights
•increasing protections for human health
•reducing project costs and delays
Environmental assessments consider:
•environmental effects, including
•effects caused by accidents and malfunctions and
•cumulative environmental effectsFootnote 4
•the significance of environmental effects
•public comments
Responsible authorities ensure that an environmental assessment for a designated project is conducted according to CEAA 2012. They also ensure that the public and Indigenous peoples are given an opportunity to participate in environmental assessments.
The federal government may conduct the assessment alone or in partnership with another jurisdiction,Footnote 5 like a province. Federal and provincial/territorial governments may work together on environmental assessments when both jurisdictions have cause for reviewing a proposed project. CEAA 2012 allows for cooperation between the two orders of government. However, the decision-making authority rests with each order of government and cannot be substituted.
The general public, Indigenous peoples, and other governmental agencies participate in the process by contributing comments, knowledge, and feedback. Federal departments and agencies with specific expertise are required to provide information and expert advice that support environmental assessments or review panels.
The Minister produces a decision statement after the environmental assessment report has been completed. Before issuing a decision statement with conditions, the Minister also has responsibilities to consider the potential impacts of a project on the Aboriginal or Treaty rights of Indigenous peoples.
The public can participate in various stages of the environmental assessment process and apply for funding to participate. More information on the main steps of an environmental assessment is available below.
Once the Agency receives a complete project description, it has to decide if an environmental assessment is required. During this period, the public can comment on the proposed project and its potential for causing adverse environmental effects.
If an environmental assessment is required, the public can provide feedback on which aspects of the environment may be affected by the project, and what should be examined during the environmental assessment.
After the Agency issues the environmental assessment guidelines, interested parties can apply for funding to participate in the environmental assessment. The Agency administers a Participant Funding Program to provide limited financial assistance to individuals, incorporated not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous groups. This funding helps recipients prepare for, and participate in, key stages of environmental assessments undertaken by the Agency or by review panels.
Once the proponent submits its environmental impact statement, the public is invited to comment on potential environmental effects and mitigation measures.
During Agency-led environmental assessments, the public can comment on the draft environmental assessment report and proposed conditions. The draft environmental assessment report includes information on:
The set of potential tools include risk assessment, life-cycle assessment, benefit-cost analysis, ecosystem-services valuation, integrated assessment models, sustainable impact assessment, environmental justice, and present and future scenario tools.
People also ask
What are the different types of environmental assessment tools?
What is the purpose of an environmental assessment?
How do you write an environmental assessment?
What is a CFR Environmental Assessment (EA)?
What should be included in a Sustainability Assessment and management process?
Where can I find information on transitional environmental assessments?
An Environmental Assessment is a PLANNING DOCUMENT and a DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT that should state in clear, straight forward, and concise language: What action is being proposed. The environment where the action is to take place. Alternatives to implementing the action.
