Environmental Assessment Process
In Nunavut, many projects are subject to an environmental assessment
under both the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) and the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act (CEAA). The Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) is an Institution
of Public Government that was established under the Nunavut Land Claims
Agreement to conduct the environmental and socio-economic assessment.
The NIRB process involves participation by members of the community, Inuit
Organizations, the Government of Nunavut, and the Government of Canada
through the entire environmental assessment. Under the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Act the federal departments, with specific responsibilities
for the project, must ensure that the requirements of the Act are met
throughout the assessment process. This open process faciliates sound
environmental stewardship and promotes economic and sustainable development.
Possible Stages of An Environmental Assessment
| Stage |
Potential Requirements |
| Application |
Application Forms, Application Fees and Project Description |
| Screening |
Scope, Public Participation, Analysis and Screening Report |
| Review |
Determination of track, Guidelines, Environmental Impact Statement,
Public Participation, Analysis and Review Report |
| Determination |
Project Certificate , Reommendations, Terms and Conditions and Authorization |
| Follow Up |
Monitoring |
Overview of Environmental Assessment in Nunavut
Application
Proponent submits Application to Authorizing Agency
Examples of A.A are Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada (INAC), Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO)
and Nunavut Water Board (NWB)
|
| Nunavut
Planning Commission (NPC) reviews application for land use
conformity |
|
|
Screening
| Nunavut Impact Review
Board (NIRB) screens project description and report with assessment
track and project recommendations to Minister |
| Determination
INAC and other interested parties provide expertise
to screen project descriptions |
| Project
to proceed without review |
Project
requires Review |
Abandon
or Modify Project |
Project
Requires Clarification |
|
|
Review
Part 5 Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB)
reviews Project impacts
|
Part 6 Federal Environmental
Assessment panel reviews Project impacts
|
|
|
Determination
Project to Proceed with
conditions |
Project not to Proceed |
|
|
Follow Up
| Monitor Project for
impacts, remediation, and decommission |
|
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|
