Participant Funding Review Committee's Report
Allocation of Funds for Orca Sand and Gravel Project
The Participant Funding Program (PFP) is designed to assist the public to participate in the environmental assessment (EA) of projects. Legislative direction for a PFP is contained in paragraph 58 (1.1) of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), which states: "For the purposes of this Act, the Minister of the Environment shall establish a participant funding program to facilitate the participation of the public in comprehensive studies, mediations and assessments by review panels".
A Participant Funding Review Committee (FRC), which was independent of the regulatory authorities, has examined the single request for funding received from the Kwakiutl Band Council. The FRC members are Mr. John Mathers and Mr. Paul Scott, Director, Pacific and Yukon Region, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency).
This report provides the applicant, as well as the Canadian public, with the rationale behind the FRC's recommended allocation of federal funds. The FRC reviewed a single application from the Kwakiutl Band Council requesting a total of $14,980.
Background
On September 30, 2004, the Agency announced that the Government of Canada would allocate up $15,000 to assist individuals and organizations to take part in the EA of the proposed Orca Sand and Gravel Project.
The project is subject to the comprehensive study provisions under the Act. Pursuant to subsection 21 (1) of the Act, Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as the federal responsible authorities for the project, invited the public to comment on the proposed scope of the project.
Rationale
To allocate the available funds in a fair, consistent and transparent manner, the FRC agreed to the following principles:
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applicants must demonstrate an interest in the project's environmental effects;
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applicants must show that a representation of their interest will contribute to the investigation of potential environmental effects of the proposed project; and
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the available funds must be allocated to ensure, to the extent possible, that those affected by the project are fairly represented.
Recommendations
The FRC recommends awarding a total amount of $5,500 to the Kwakiutl Band Council for the proposed Orca Sand and Gravel Project review.
The FRC based its recommendations on the following:
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The application was evaluated by applying, the following considerations:
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eligibility of the applicant to receive funding;
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the contribution that the applicants are expected to make to the review of Environmental Impact Statement and/or completed Comprehensive Study Report; and
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specific funding requests contained in their proposal.
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Funding was provided for incremental costs expected to be incurred by the applicant to allow for effective participation. The FRC took into account that the proponent has provided the Kwakiutl Band Council with funding to evaluate the project's potential environmental effects and that the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office has arranged for an orientation tour of the site.
General Comments
The FRC made its determination based on the information provided in the application.
The Agency and the FRC welcome any comments concerning the recommendations on funding allocation or on the content of this report. Please forward your comments or questions to:
Mr. Peter Bedrossian
Manager, Participant Funding Program
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
22nd Floor, Place Bell
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3
Telephone: (613) 957-0254
e-mail: peter.bedrossian@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Dated: November 22, 2004
Funding Review Committee:
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Mr. John Mathers
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Mr. Paul Scott
Director
Pacific and Yukon Region
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
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