September, 2006
Appendix 2.0
Results-based Environmental Stewardship Objectives Applicable to
Environmental Assessment of Reviewable Projects (and to Mines Act permitting).
Version 2.0 (September 2006)
Proviso:
The objectives set forth by the Environmental Stewardship Division must not be considered as
absolutes – objectives that must be achieved under all circumstances and situations. Considering
the circumstances of the project, its location and the nature of impacts, and consequences to
values at risk, it may be impracticable to fully achieve the objective for each value. Mitigation
may attenuate impacts, and must be balanced with other factors in the public interest by the
respective decision maker. Compensation projects may be used to deliver a result for an impacted
value that is commensurate with the public interest. Under certain circumstances, the decision
maker may determine that it is in the public interest to accept a higher risk of impact to, or loss
of, an impacted resource value.
Fish and fish habitat
1. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) prevent harm to fish or harmful alteration, damage or destruction of fish habitat.
(b) result in provision of safe passage for fish
(c) maintain the integrity of riparian areas for the purposes of protecting fish habitat, and
conserving water quality, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.
(d) prevent cumulative hydrologic effects to which the project may contribute from
causing a material adverse impact on the functional integrity of watersheds that support
fish.
(e) result in sustained recreational use of fish populations, and will prevent:
(i) increased recreational use of sensitive fish populations that may result in a
material adverse impact to those populations, or
(ii) conflicts between resource users, and will sustain equal opportunity for all
anglers
Wildlife
2. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) prevent a material adverse impact to the suitability of aquatic or terrestrial habitat for
species at risk (SAR), wintering ungulates or regionally important wildlife, including
furbearers, migratory birds and bats.
(b) result in the protection critical habitats and residences of SAR
(c) result in the protection of localised wildlife habitat features.
(d) prevent disturbance of wildlife that are using identified habitats during critical
seasonal periods
(e) prevent material, adverse human-caused mortality of wildlife, or increased
recreational use that would result in a material adverse impact to the productivity of a
specified wildlife population.
(f) result in sustained hunting, wildlife viewing opportunities, and other recreational use
of wildlife, and will sustain equal opportunity among different classes of users.
(g) prevent habitat fragmentation or fracturing of migratory pathways across landscapes.
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Water
3. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) result in protection of the quality and quantity of water diverted by a licensed
waterworks for consumption by humans.
(b) prevent the cumulative hydrologic effects to which the project may contribute from
causing a material adverse impact on the functional integrity of watersheds from which
water is diverted for consumption by humans.
Biodiversity
4. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) maintain representation of forest cover and vegetation on or adjacent to the footprint
of a development.
(b) prevent material adverse impacts on the occurrence of rare/endangered plants or plant
communities.
(c) result in protection of biodiversity resources and associated recreational values within
Ecological Reserves, Parks and Protected Areas.
(d) prevent the introduction or spread of invasive plants.
Soil and Terrain
5. The project will prevent landslides, soil disturbance or soil erosion that would cause a material
adverse impact environmental resource values.
Tenure rights granted by Government
6. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) prevent material adverse impact on the ability of a holder of government tenure to
exercise the rights granted by government that are consistent with the granted tenure.
(b) protect the ability of the tenure holder, including holders of tenures or authorisations
within parks or protected areas, to attract clientele or access resources, such that there is
no material adverse impact on the existing viability of the tenure holder’s business.
Land areas adjacent to parks and protected areas
7. Activities undertaken for the purposes of a project will:
(a) not compromise the boundaries of an ecological reserve, park or protected area.
(b) result in protection of vegetation along the boundaries of the park or protected area,
including protection of the health and wind-firmness of forested stands.
(c) prevent the development of road, trail, vehicular or recreational access to the park that
is inconsistent with the management plan for the park or protected area.
(d) prevent a material adverse impact on the visual quality of the landscape from primary
viewpoints within a park or protected area that are critical to use and enjoyment of the
park or protected area.
(e) protect watercourses, water bodies wetlands, recreation features or resource features
that flow into, or are contiguous with, the area of a park or protected area.
Recreational opportunity on Crown land.
8. In addition to addressing recreation objectives set out for fish and wildlife, the project will
prevent a material adverse impact on use and enjoyment of, or recreational opportunities
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associated with, water courses or water bodies, wilderness (road-less) areas and key land or
biodiversity features.
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