To develop a standardized, nationally-consistent, science-based system to assess the significance of adverse effects on migratory birds. Birds are almost ubiquitous and migratory species are a federal responsibility; they are therefore of great interest from a federal EA perspective. The objective of this project is to build on earlier work investigating the potential for using birds to assess significance in EA, and specifically to:

1. develop an electronic decision support tool to determine significance in Environmental Assessment (EA) using birds;
2. incorporate comments by EA practitioners; and
3. test the model using specific examples from British Columbia and Ontario.

1. To determine the utility and validity of existing ecological standards, guidelines and objectives for wetland conservation, to deciding whether adverse environmental effects are significant under CEAA.
2. To determine how information about existing ecological standards, guidelines and objectives for wetland conservation might best be communicated to EA practitioners.
3. To infer the relevance of (1) and (2) above for using ecological standards, guidelines and objectives related to a broad range of ecosystems, including, grasslands, forests, freshwater ecosystems, marine ecosystems, and arctic ecosystems, for determining the significance of adverse environmental effects under CEAA.

To prepare a foundation for guidelines on how to understand and apply the concept of environmental significance in assessments that adopt sustainability-based decision criteria and therefore must consider and weigh human as well as ecological effects, and positive as well as adverse effects, and system as well as particular effects

To develop a "best practice" process for First nations, government and project proponents to define, articulate and analyze the significance of environmental effects and to develop a "check list" of potential indicators of the nature of environmental effects which are likely to be perceived as "significant" from a First Nations perspective.

1. Analyze the contribution of follow-up committees to the design and implementation of EIA follow-up for major industrial projects to examine their effectiveness.
2. Observe, document, and analyze the actual operation of ten (10) environmental impact follow-up committees, including the group dynamics of the social actors (i.e., locally elected officials, industrial entrepreneurs, environmental groups, citizens, government representatives, etc.) involved in the design and implementation of environmental follow-up.
3. Situate the follow-up committees' contributions within the various aspects of the environmental impact evaluation process: accuracy of the environmental impact assessment, regional frameworks for cumulative effects, mitigation of effects, etc.
4. Recommend means of improving the effectiveness of follow-up committees.

The goal of the research is to develop a strategy which would enable the communication of information arising from environmental impact follow-up studies, and to make it accessible to interested individuals and organizations (developers, analysts from various ministries involved at the regulatory level, environmental consultants, NGOs, the general public, etc.).

"Fair and competent" community involvement is the only way to define the most important links between humans and their environment, and therefore, the only way to begin to manage human impacts assessment more effectively. The goal of this project is to explore cutting-edge community-based information management procedures to identify and remove barriers for effective local participation in EIA.

1. Research the process requirements for establishment of regional environmental effects studies to support the development of guidelines and procedures;
2. Explore and document the benefits and opportunities provided by these studies;
3. Test the research against an existing study.

Assist practitioners to address climate change in preparing environmental assessments by:

• exploring new sources of knowledge on climate change that can assist in assessing potential impacts on projects; and
• developing recommendations on the methodology of incorporating climate change and climate scenarios into environmental assessments in Canada.

Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering - Division of Environmental Engineering - University of Toronto

N/A

To develop guidelines to assess and formalize the uncertainty associated with the information provided for environmental assessment (EA), including the impacts of climate change:

1. To review how uncertainty has been incorporated in EA reports.
2. To review the available methodologies for assessing uncertainty in EA.
3. To review the available methodologies for assessing uncertainty of climate change scenarios.
4. To provide a set of guidelines for proponents.
5. To incorporate uncertainty, reliability and quality of the information in estimates.
6. To provide a basis for comparison of different estimates of significance and the impacts of climate change.

This project will test the ecological benchmarks approach in a workshop setting, and report the advice of EA practitioners from across Canada regarding:

1. The practical applicability of the candidate ecological benchmarks to distinguishing "significant" adverse environmental effects.
2. Additional analyses or interpretation of benchmarks required to improve the consistency and defensibility of their application to EA decision-making.
3. Additional sources of ecological benchmarks.
4. Whether the ecological benchmarks product should be designed as a resource for government experts/specialists to use in advising environmental assessment decisions or reviewing reports, or as a resource for broad distribution to all EA practitioners.
5. The best format for transferring ecological benchmark information to practitioners to optimize direct application of benchmarks to EA issues.
6. A process to measure the value of the ecological benchmarks product to improving the practice and results of environmental assessment.

1. To compare two methods employed in Canada and Mexico to determine the significance of environmental impacts using a case study.
2. To analyze the differences yielded by both methods with a view to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each.
3. To propose a single method that integrates the strengths of both models studied and eliminates their weaknesses.

1. Examine the role of the environmental assessment with respect to development, implementation, and effectiveness of fish habitat compensation efforts.
2. Enhance the knowledge base on the acceptability of fisheries impacts and proposed compensation plans for federal environmental assessment projects.
3. Examine and assess existing conditions following implementation of compensation measures to assess the effectiveness of compensation efforts, predictability of cumulative impacts, and identify successful compensation plans.
4. Assess the interrelationship between predicted fisheries impacts, mitigation/compensation measures and residual impacts to enhance our knowledge of potential impacts on future environmental assessment projects.
5. Recommend appropriate monitoring requirements for future compensation plans.
6. Ensure that this review of the effectiveness of fish habitat compensation plans addresses the concerns of all approved participants (including DFO, MNR and NVCA) in future impact assessments.

1. A set of indicators will be developed in order to consistently and accurately document impacts. These indicators will be used to guide resource management decisions.
2. A suite of rehabilitation strategies will be developed based on a literature review, scientific advisors, input from resource management decisions.
3. A follow-up program will be developed in order to assess the effectiveness of prescribed mitigation and to allow program assessment and modification. As with all aspects of this project, follow-up will be founded on principals of sound science and research replication.
4. A multi-layered database application will be developed based on data generated from both past and future research initiatives. Data layers will include, but are not limited to, soil chemistry, vegetation cover, applied rehabilitation work, human use statistics, and analysis to support resource management decisions on a wider scale.
5. Findings from the monitoring and rehabilitation strategies will be used to develop the educational program. Education is seen as one of the key elements in a successful rehabilitation program, with this in mind our objective will be to facilitate public awareness and understanding of resource management and protection within protected areas.

1. Develop a participative process to assess the significance of the cumulative environmental effects and impact of linear developments on quality of life.
2. Develop a design and methodological framework that can be adapted to all types of linear development.
3. Integrate the process into the various stages of the environmental assessment process, specifically the follow-up stage.

• To examine the potential for strategic land use plans (SLUPs) in British Columbia (and similar strategic planning initiatives in other jurisdictions) to contribute to regional environmental effects assessment (REEA) in two ways:
  • The extent to which impact assessments currently conducted in conjunction with SLUP provide the information relevant to REEA.
  • The extent to which the strategic land use plans (SLUP) itself can contribute to REEA by providing a broad context for environmental management by highlighting locations deemed to be more environmentally sensitive versus those zoned for greater resource development.
• To identify the types of assessments and considerations that could be incorporated into future SLUPs, such that they could more effectively contribute to REEAs

1. Develop a cost-effective, statistically and scientifically defensible method to quantitatively measure and assess the significance of cumulative effects resulting from habitat loss; and
2. Assess the efficacy of the proposed method through application to existing baseline data and current and anticipated future developments in the diamond-mining region of the Northwest Territories, and contrasting the proposed approach with previous environmental assessment protocols.

1. Conduct background research on the Cold Lake area to determine existing, approved, current applications, and planned projects that may contribute to cumulative effects.
2. Review and evaluate regional management tools and approaches to determine their applicability to the Cold Lake area.
3. Facilitate stakeholder involvement in the cumulative effects management process by identifying stakeholders, establishing a dialogue, and identifying their concerns.
4. Identify cumulative effects that require regional management.
5. Design a cumulative effects management framework for application in the region.

N/A

The research is aimed at improving determination of significance and other aspects of the EA process through sharing good practices. It focuses on improving awareness of and access to information necessary for understanding the consequences of proposed actions on the environment, and for making sound project decisions that contribute, in the long run, to sustainable development. The objectives of the research are to:

1. Specify the information management requirements of EA practitioners in Canada, including project proponents, responsible authorities, consultants, and regulators and experts who guide and review EAs;
2. Identify and describe options for improving information management and knowledge sharing, including the benefits of improved information management for EA, related to the quality of EAs as well as time and cost savings; and
3. Evaluate the feasibility of selected options relative to cost, potential partners and funding sources.

1. Examine the role of the environmental assessment with respect to the design, implementation, and effectiveness of fish passage measures for culverts and the potential environmental direct and cumulative impacts upon fish, fish passage, and aquatic invertebrate habitat associated with altered habitat conditions;
2. Enhance our knowledge base on the strengths and weaknesses of the design and functionality of fish passage measures being incorporated as mitigation/compensation for federally assessed culvert projects;
3. Assess culvert sites with fish passage mitigation measures to assess the interrelationship between predicted impacts, and those occurring in actuality to illustrate project success based on effectiveness of implemented mitigation, and compliance with regulatory agency approvals;
4. Provide information that would assist CEAA and DFO in the better understanding of the effectiveness of mitigation and compensation measures pertaining to the creation/replacement/enhancement of fish habitat and fish passage issues, as well as the effect upon aquatic invertebrate habitat caused by fish passage measures for culverts; and
5. Ensure that the review of the effectiveness of fish passage measures and causational effect on aquatic habitat addresses the concerns of all approved participants (including DFO, MNR Midhurst District, and NVCA) in future impact assessments

The overall objective of this research is to improve the effectiveness of EA follow-up by providing guidance for practitioners on the necessary design principles and characteristics to facilitate systematic, 'best' practices follow-up programs. This consists of five primary sub-objectives, to:

1. explore the nature and value of the notion of accuracy in respect to impact predictions;
2. develop a working definition for effectiveness in respect to measuring the effectiveness of impact mitigation procedures;
3. develop an appropriate model and the necessary principles and EA characteristics for measuring the effectiveness of mitigation measures;
4. explore the scope of the follow-up to determine if other elements should be included to better enable the lessons learned from experience to improve future EIA practice; and
5. develop guidelines to facilitate EA practitioners in the systematic development and implementation of best practice follow-up programs.

1. To identify alternative best practice approaches to defining scenarios of future developments for input to project-level cumulative effects assessment;
2. To review the current state-of-the-art development of futures scenarios as practiced in the disciplines of cumulative effects assessment and future analysis;
3. To compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches to development of futures scenarios for cumulative effects assessment; and
4. To test approaches to developing future scenarios through their application to cumulative effects assessment case studies.

1. Identify drivers and barriers to develop a multi-jurisdictional, international framework for regional cumulative effects assessment;
2. Develop a process to facilitate ongoing, collaborative data collection and harmonization for modeling regional cumulative effects;
3. Complete a series of pilot runs of the ALCES cumulative effects simulator model; and
4. Assess the value of both the process and model and make recommendations regarding the ongoing development of the framework and its implementation.

1. Test the process and procedures (i.e. in regard to scoping, Valued Environmental components, establishing boundaries, mitigation measures, etc.) that have been developed - using existing environmental assessments as a bench-mark for comparison;
2. Determine the effectiveness of the guidelines' risk management approach to addressing scientific uncertainty in regard to climate change impacts;
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the guidelines in utilizing existing climate change models as a mechanisms for project specific evaluations and projections;
4. Identify deficiencies or practical limitations in implementing the guidelines;
5. Identify improvements to the guidelines that may be required to effectively address climate change considerations; and
6. Evaluate whether the guidelines can be used as a 'generic' methodology capable of adaptation to federal and other provincial environmental assessment processes.

1. To identify the necessary conditions and the institutional and organizational obstacles in the development of a regional environmental impacts framework for the integration of climate change factors into the EA of highway infrastructures in the metropolitan area of Montréal;
2. To define the links between a strategic environmental assessment framework of regional transport policies, plans and programs, and the evaluation of environmental impacts on specific local projects;
3. To determine the different possible approaches to harmonize the consideration of global and long term effects of climate change and the local and immediate effects of the establishment of highway infrastructures;
4. To evaluate the range and limits of information, consultation, discussion, co-ordination and conflict resolution tools that are likely to improve the integration process of climate change factors into the EA of highway infrastructures; and
5. To identify the necessary conditions and best practices with regard to similar experiences in Canada, Europe and the United States in order to guide public policy on the subject.

1. To develop comprehensive and systematic methodologies and guidelines, using case studies of drainage basins in Québec, Northern Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador, for integrating future climate change considerations in EAs relating to basin hydrology and hydropower installations;
2. To analyze, evaluate and demonstrate, based on the results of the research, the need to integrate climate change impacts assessments in future environmental assessments of hydropower and similar projects, that are influenced by drainage basin climate and hydrology, in eastern and northern Canada;
3. To develop appropriate methodologies with recommendations relating to EAs, for the integration of greenhouse gas climate change in environmental impacts assessments, especially as they relate to drainage basin hydrology and hydropower operations, so as to promote effective integration of environmental considerations and public concerns into decision-making aimed at achieving sustainable development;
4. To craft recommendations and guidelines, based on the results of the research project, justifying the consideration of climate change impacts assessments in the feasibility, engineering design and environmental assessment of projects relying on drainage basin climate and hydrology such as hydropower and similar projects requiring the creation of storage reservoirs; and
5. To promote and enhance capacity and to further knowledge at the tertiary level in climate change impacts and vulnerabilities and environmental assessments, especially in regards to hydropower and similar projects. Apart from advancing research capacities at the Université de Montréal, École Polytechnique de Montréal and Hydro-Québec, the project will also allow for the training of a Master's level graduate student in climate change impacts studies and environmental assessments.

• To identify examples of socio-economic significance thresholds and criteria (examples).
• To compare alternative approaches and frameworks for structuring socio-economic significance thresholds and criteria (structuring).
• To determine and evaluate socio-economic significance determination practices (integrating insights from practice).
• To compare alternative approaches, models and procedures for applying socio-economic significance thresholds and criteria (applying).
• To illustrate how socio-economic significance determination procedures can facilitate stakeholder involvement and collaboration, integrate the Precautionary Principle and contribute to sustainability (expanding the boundaries).
• To recommend how socio-economic significance determination might be better addressed in practice (good practice advice to practitioners).
• To identify residual issues, uncertainties and need (recommended future actions).

The core goal of the project is to provide recommendations for strengthening citizen participation in environmental assessment (EA) follow-up monitoring in ways that integrate attention to human and ecological effects. More specifically, the project objectives are:

• to articulate how public engagement, in integrated consideration of human and ecological variables, could strengthen the follow-up phase of the EA process;
• to identify particular opportunities for strengthening the monitoring of (actual versus predicted) effects as a means of improving impact prediction and as a contribution to adaptive management of assessed undertakings;
• to draw relevant lessons from the theory and practice of citizen participation in sustainable livelihoods approaches and community-based monitoring for project design and implementation;
• to describe possible implications of these follow-up considerations for earlier phases of the EA process (e.g. how public participation and adaptive design might best be incorporated in project selection, design and review); and
• to express these findings into concrete recommendations for practitioners.

The overall objective of the research is to provide a set of heuristics that estimate the cumulative impacts of a given project based on its power as and attractor of subsequent development. To do this, we propose to:

• develop a typology of attractors based on project types, impact multipliers (for each type) and algorithms for incorporation of proximity to competing foci development;
• receive feedback on the practicality, ease of implementation and acceptability of the above heuristics; and
• field test the heuristics by application to the Kitikmeot road and port project at Bathurst Inlet.

The overall objective of this research is to improve the effectiveness of regional cumulative effects assessment by providing guidance to practitioners on the necessary design principles and characteristics to construct and implement ‘best’-practice regional cumulative environmental effects frameworks. This consists of five primary sub-objectives, namely to:

• explore the notion and value of a regional approach to cumulative effects assessment;
• determine the appropriate level and scale of regional effects assessment in regard to the broader strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and planning process;
• develop an appropriate strategic framework and the necessary principles and EA characteristics for regional cumulative effects assessment;
• explore the scope of regional cumulative effects assessment to determine if other elements should be included to better facilitate regional environmental effects management and improve the value added of project-level EIA practice; and
• develop guidelines to facilitate practitioners in the development and implementation of best-practice regional cumulative effects frameworks.

The purpose of this research is to better understand the successes and challenges of meaningful involvement in EA through key informant interviews related to three environmental assessments under the Act and involving Aboriginal people. As well, the research will develop a framework for meaningful involvement of Aboriginal people at each stage of the EA process.

The objective of this research is to examine SEA models and determine the degree to which non-EA processes (e.g. land use management plans) have been guided by the principles and procedures consistent with SEA and develop best practices based on these experiences.

Last Updated: 2007-02-28

Important Notices