Project-specific Screening, Environmental Assesment and Review

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes established by the MVRMA, the Inuvialuit Final Agreement and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act apply within the NWT. The National Energy Board is also involved in EIA for projects within its jurisdiction. When projects or activities trigger EIA, cumulative effects issues may be identified at the screening stage or through more detailed review processes. The reports that are produced by EIA processes take cumulative effects into account when recommending approval or rejection of projects or activities and may suggest measures to mitigate these effects. EIA is therefore a key component of the overall CEAM Framework and has, for some recent projects, become the focal point for concerns about cumulative effects.

The Steering Committee has identified several weaknesses in the EIA component of the CEAM Framework. Project proponents and other interested parties require clearer guidance regarding key aspects of cumulative effects assessment in the context of project-specific EIA. This guidance should address issues such as scoping, the identification of VECs and VSCs, the level of effort required by proponents, and the roles and responsibilities of the different parties. Government leadership and interagency coordination are necessary, since cumulative effects issues are often beyond the control of project proponents and involve the mandates of multiple agencies. Policy guidance regarding the determination of significance of cumulative effects is also required. Finally, improved linkages among components of the CEAM Framework - notably through the 'feedback and decision support' mechanisms (e.g., monitoring, research and environmental auditing)- could ensure that results from previous studies and other contextual information are available for use in project-specific cumulative effects assessments.

RELATED INITIATIVES

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