Environmental Assessment in
Newfoundland & Labrador
Experiences, Observations and Insights
from Recent Practice
Environmental Assessment in
Newfoundland & Labrador
Experiences, Observations, Insights
Practitioner’s Perspectives
Steve Bonnell
Practice Leader, Environmental Assessment
AMEC Environment & Infrastructure
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
October 2013
Overview and Contents
•
Environmental Assessment (EA): Overview and
Definition
•
EA Legislation and Processes (NL and CA)
•
EA Objectives and Outcomes
•
EA Practice in Newfoundland & Labrador:
• The Good (Things that are working well)
• Some “Could do Betters” (Issues and Suggestions)
•
Summary and Conclusion
3
Environmental Assessment (EA)
A regulatory review process applied to proposed
development projects to predict and evaluate their
potential environmental effects, so that these can
be considered and addressed in project planning
and decision-making
Project Planning
EA
Project Design
Project Construction
Project Operations
Project Decommissioning
4
Environmental Assessment (EA)
A regulatory review process applied to proposed
development projects to predict and evaluate their
potential environmental effects, so that these can
be considered and addressed in project planning
and decision-making
•
•
•
•
•
Understanding the existing environment (biophysical and
socioeconomic)
Identifying environmental issues and predicting project
effects and benefits
Consulting with governments, Aboriginal and stakeholder
groups, the public
Proposing measures to avoid / reduce adverse
environmental effects and optimize benefits
Considering environmental effects in Project planning
and decisions (go / no-go, design, scheduling, mitigation)
5
EA Processes and Objectives
•
Proposed development projects in NL may be subject to provincial and/or
federal EA requirements:
• NL Environmental Protection Act (Part 10) and EA Regulations
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA 2012) and Regulations
Some Key (Shared) EA Objectives and Outcomes
•
•
•
Proactive identification, analysis and management of environmental
effects in Project planning and decision-making
Consultation with Aboriginal communities, stakeholders and the public
(information, issues, mitigation)
Achieving these outcomes in an effective and efficient manner
6
EA Practice in NL: The Good
EA Legislation and Process
• Long-standing, well established EA legislation in NL (1980 + amendments)
• Relatively good, well structured process (procedures, timelines, decisions)
Consultation
• EA provides ideal mechanism to engage with interested and potentially
affected parties (Public, Stakeholders, Aboriginal Groups)
• NL EA process is inherently consultative, with various junctures /
opportunities for involvement and input
• Early opportunities for sharing information and input into Project planning
and decision-making
7
EA Practice in NL: The Good (Continued…)
EA Use, Perceptions and Outcomes
•
Proponents are increasingly viewing and using EA as an
important and valuable tool for:
• Informing and improving the planning, design and
implementation of their projects, and the
• Proactive identification and management of environmental /
social issues and associated risks
•
Many corporations are also (voluntarily) undertaking EAlike approaches as part of their early project planning
and decision-making processes:
• Identification of development objectives and approaches
• Evaluation of alternative project options and design
concepts
8
EA Practice in NL: Issues / Opportunities
EA Legislation and Process
• Type / level of Project description information required / requested
• Delays in Governmental decisions and actions at key EA stages
• EA Guidelines / Scoping (information, focus, timing)
Aboriginal Consultation
• Courts have established a Crown duty of consultation with relevant
Aboriginal groups
• Procedural aspects often delegated to Proponents through the EA process
• Further information and direction required from Government on Aboriginal
groups / claims, consultation requirements and approaches
9
EA Practice in NL: Issues / Opportunities
(Continued…)
EA Methods and Documentation
• Need to explore approaches and methods for presenting EA information
and analyses in a clearer and more concise (less voluminous) manner
• Emphasize the content, quality and brevity of the EA, thereby making it
more accessible and meaningful for participants
Project EA vs. Regional (Cumulative) Issues
• Project EAs often become the (sole) forum for evaluating larger policy /
regional environmental and socioeconomic issues
• Project’s contribution to, and Proponent’s ability / responsibility to manage,
overall (cumulative) effects?
10
Some Closing Thoughts
•
•
•
•
EA is a useful and powerful tool for informing and improving Project planning
and decision-making
Long-standing and well established EA legislation and processes in NL
There is room for improvement in a number of key regulatory and
methodological aspects of EA practice in NL
Far too much emphasis on the procedural aspects of EA, We need a greater
focus on EA outcomes and benefits (effectiveness and efficiency)
11
Thank you ….
Steve Bonnell
AMEC Environment & Infrastructure
133 Crosbie Road, PO Box 13216
St. John's, NL Canada A1B 4A5
Tel (709) 722-7023
Email steve.bonnell@amec.com