The Environmental Assessment Act
The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) provides for the protection, conservation
and wise management of the environment in Ontario by providing an accountable,
logical and reproducible process of decision making. The EAA lays out a
planning process and encourages environmental protection within the context of a
broadly defined environment.
What does the Environmental Assessment Act apply to?
The Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) applies to most public sector
undertakings (the proposed project or activity) and to some private sector
undertakings.
Public Sector Undertakings
All public sector undertakings are subject to the EAA unless they have been
specifically exempted. Public sector undertakings are defined under section of
the EAA and can be generally categorized as those of:
- Ontario Government Ministries and agencies;
- Ontario municipalities;
- Public body or bodies (as defined by the regulation under this Act.
Public sector undertakings, often infrastructure developments, include such
things as: public roads and highways; transit facilities; waste management
facilities; sewage and water works; and flood protection works.
For more information: www.e-laws.gov.on.ca
The Environmental Assessment Process
The purpose of the Class EA is to provide efficient and effective project
screening and evaluation, and consultation processes that are appropriately
matched to projects within the class. This is to ensure that MNR, its partners,
and disposition applicants take into account the potential environmental effects
of proposed projects.
The Class EA procedures do not apply to activities that respond to urgent
situations, where there is threat or potential threat to human life or safety,
the environment, property, or public services. MNR may proceed with actions
that would otherwise be subject to Class EA procedures.
Examples: flooding, erosion or collapse of a structure, chemical spills, forest fires
For further information the Class EA, follow the link: www.mnr.gov.on.ca
CIP Wet Lagoon Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process
The Ministry of Natural Resources began the Class Environmental
Assessment (EA) process early in 2008. Through this process, the remediation
plan was evaluated. A public consultation session was held on September 4, 2008
and potential environmental impacts were examined. A clear strategy for
remediation of the land base will be developed from the EA process.
Public Consultations
An ongoing, proactive planning and public consultative program must be
established and maintained to ensure that the stakeholder groups and the
community of Hawkesbury receive appropriate opportunity to provide input into
the final design of the closure plan for the CIP Wet Lagoon. Through this
process, all significant technical and environmental concerns and issues must be
considered and mitigated. This will involve several meetings with affected
review agencies, interest groups, and the public during the preliminary design
study.
A Public Consultation program is an essential component of the EA process for
the Wet Lagoon Remediation Project. It will enable stakeholders to actively
participate in making decisions that affect them and will provide them with the
opportunity to examine and comment on the proposed closure alternatives. The EA
will include a bilingual public consultation process based on the following
principles:
- The EA consultation will be open by making all reasonable efforts to ensure that potentially affected or interested parties are given the opportunity to comment at each stage of the process and on all closure alternatives;
- The EA consultation will be transparent and flexible to allow responses to new emerging issues.
Environmental Study Reports (ESR)
Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Proposal
Final Environmental Study Report (ESR) - Project Plan
Studies and Reports