A.2.3 PHASE 2 - ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Part A - Class EA Planning Process

A.2 PLANNING AND DESIGN PROCESS

Determine the appropriate schedule and how that affects the next steps in the process.

The procedures outlined in Phase 2 will lead the proponent to the conclusion that the project:

is pre-approved (Schedule A or A+);
is approved subject to Screening (Schedule B);
is subject to the full Five Phase Planning Process (Schedule C); or,
should proceed through an Individual Environmental Assessment.

Project schedules are provided in Appendix 1.

Where a project falls under Schedule A+, the proponent is to advise the public about the project (see Section A.1.2.2).

The planning process in Phase 2 will involve the following Steps:

*Step 1*	Identification of alternative solutions to the problem. There is usually more than one way to solve a problem. All reasonable and feasible solutions shall be identified and described. At the conclusion of Step 1, the proponent is usually able to establish whether the project falls under Schedule A/A+ or not. This is the first Schedule decision point and the proponent is presented with the following alternatives: The proponent may arrive at the conclusion that the solution is an activity which falls under Schedule A or A+ and is therefore pre-approved. The proponent may therefore proceed to implement the project without any further environmental assessment while recognizing the obligation to minimize environmental impacts while doing so. The problem identified in Phase 1 will be considered to have been resolved. Should the proponent decide that a project which would normally fall under Schedule A is likely to have significant environmental impacts, then the project should be planned under Schedule B or C. Alternatively, the proponent may decide that the solution to the problem will result in a project which will fall under Schedule B or Schedule C, in which case the proponent shall continue to plan the project through the following Steps. These are preliminary decisions, however, and depending on the nature and complexity of the project may need to be reviewed and confirmed at later points in Phases 2 and 3. In some cases, the proponent may conclude not to continue with the project, for example, should the project have significant environmental effects which are not mitigable.
*Step 2*	Preparation of a physical description of the area where the project is to occur, and a general inventory of the natural, social and economic environments which are to be considered when reviewing the effects of a project in that area.
*Step 3*	Identification of the magnitude of the net positive and negative effects of each alternative solution in Step 1, with respect to the environmental factors identified in Step 2. Identify mitigating measures.
*Step 4*	Evaluation of all reasonable alternative solutions, identified in Step 1, taking into consideration the environmental and other factors identified in Steps 2 and 3. For projects which are relatively straightforward and uncontroversial this Step may lead to the preliminary identification of a recommended solution which should be conveyed to the public and the review agencies in the following Step 5. This has the advantage that reviewers will have a better idea of the proponent’s preliminary conclusions and will allow reviewers to focus their attention on the recommended solution. It is important that the recommended solution not be presented as a decision but as a preliminary preference based on a rational evaluation of available information. Public input is necessary and important at this point to assist the proponent by providing additional information, in reviewing the evaluation and in arriving at the best decision.

First mandatory point of contact with public to review and obtain input about the problem or opportunity, environmental issues, alternative solutions and preliminary determination of a preferred solution.

Step 5

Consultation with review agencies and the public to solicit comment and input. By making interested parties aware of the information gained to this point in the process, including the problem or opportunity, the environmental considerations to be addressed during the evaluation of alternatives, the alternative solutions being considered and their impact on the environment, and the evaluation itself, other pertinent factors may come to light. The notification may also include the proponent’s recommended solution, as outlined in Step 4 above. (See Section A.3 Consultation and Appendix 3, Screening Criteria, for further details.) This is the first mandatory point of contact with the public.

Step 6

Selection or confirmation of the preferred solution to the problem or opportunity taking into consideration input and comment received from the review agencies and the public and after evaluation of the net environmental effects of the various alternatives. Depending on the situation, the preferred solution may involve a combination of alternative solutions rather than a single outcome.

Confirm or modify initial identification of project schedule.

At this point the, proponent shall review the previous decision regarding the status of the project, i.e. Schedule B or C, and either confirm this decision or conclude otherwise.

A Schedule B project is approved subject to screening.

Schedule B:

If the proponent concludes that the project falls under Schedule B and is therefore Approved subject to Screening, (see Appendix 3 for Screening Criteria) then documentation of the planning process shall be finalized and placed on file, (see Section A.4.1, Schedule B - Project File for requirements for documentation).

To complete the Schedule B process, a Notice of Completion shall be submitted to review agencies and the public and a period of at least 30 calendar days shall be allowed for comment and input. The Notice shall include notification of the provision to request a Part II Order (See Section A.2.8). If no request for an Order is received by the Minister within the review period, the proponent may develop the project, based on the preferred solution, and may proceed with detailed design and the preparation of contract drawings and documents.

A Schedule C project proceeds through Phases 3, 4, and 5

Schedule C:

If the proponent concludes that the project falls under Schedule C, then the following procedures outlined in Phases 3, 4 and 5 shall be undertaken.

Other:

If the proponent concludes that the problem as originally defined is no longer valid and has been re-defined, then the planning process shall revert to Phase 1 with a new problem statement.
If the proponent concludes that the project should undergo an individual environmental assessment, then the procedures and requirements of the EA Act shall be followed i.e. preparation of an individual environmental assessment for submission to the Minister for review and approval.