Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (CIMP) and Audit
An Environmental Monitoring Program for the NWT
The Northwest Territories Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (CIMP) and Audit are currently being developed. The CIMP is independent of the CEAM Strategy and Framework. A stand-alone website for the CIMP will eventually be developed; until then information on the CIMP will be posted on this section of the CEAM website.
- Click on the headings below for an introduction to the NWT CIMP and Audit.
- For more detailed information, please click on the Reference tab above or contact the NWT CIMP Coordinators at cimp@inac.gc.ca.
- Click here for contact information for the NWT CIMP and Audit Working Group and Coordinators.
What is the Monitoring Program?
The Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program (CIMP) will look at how all uses of land and water, and deposits of waste, affect the environment of the NWT now and in the future.
The monitoring program will:
• encourage community-based monitoring and community capacity-building
• "fill the gaps" in current monitoring activities
• report on the health of the environment, including ecology and humans
• help with better decision-making to protect the environment
• include both scientific and traditional knowledge
• help coordinate monitoring and reporting in the NWT
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What is the Audit?
The independent environmental audit will evaluate and review the:
• health of the environment;
• effectiveness of the CIMP;
• effectiveness of environmental management processes and the organizations responsible for them in the NWT; and
• response to recommendations of previous environmental audits.
The audit is to be performed at least every five years by independent individuals or bodies. The first audit report will be completed in late 2003.
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What are Cumulative Impacts?
Cumulative impacts are changes to the environment caused by an activity, combined with other past, present and future activities. The environment is broadly defined to include social, economic, cultural, in addition to natural / biophysical aspects.
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Why do we have the CIMP and Audit?
Long-term monitoring and regular audits are good environmental management practices that help protect the environment. The information from the program will be useful for land use planning, environmental regulation and assessment, and other resource management activities.
The monitoring program and audit are requirements of the Gwich'in and Sahtu land claim agreements, the Tlicho [Dogrib] Agreement, and Part 6 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The need for monitoring programs and audits is also recognized in the NWT Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management (CEAM) Strategy and Framework.
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Where will monitoring be done?
Monitoring should take place throughout the Northwest Territories. The exact locations of monitoring programs will be determined through an extensive consultation and partnership process.
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What will be monitored?
Important areas of the environment called "Valued Ecosystem Components" that could be monitored:
• water
• fish
• wildlife and birds
• air and climate
• snow/ice/permafrost
• vegetation and fire
• human health and wellness
Each of the Valued Ecosystem Components will be monitored using programs developed by communities, governments, and other groups and organizations. An information management system will keep track of results of these programs so information is available to the public. The program will be coordinated with research programs and other monitoring programs that are already in place.
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Who is designing and implementing the Monitoring Program?
Through partnerships, a Working Group of Aboriginal governments and organizations, and federal and territorial governments, in consultation with community representatives, is completing the design of the program. The design should be complete in early 2003 with long-term monitoring starting in mid-2003.
Under legislation, the Minister of DIAND is responsible for carrying out the program and is referred to as the "Responsible Authority". The Working Group is presently considering what body should manage the program in the future. Until then, DIAND and the Working Group will continue to manage the program.
For more detailed information please contact the CIMP coordinators
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Last Updated: 1/21/2003 | 
