Friday, April 26, 2024
Effective consultation is key to successful environmental assessment planning.
Consultation early in and throughout the process is a key feature of environmental assessment planning. Consultation is a two-way communications process between the proponent and affected or interested stakeholders that provides opportunities for information exchange and for those consulted to influence decision-making. The degree to which decision-making can be influenced will depend on the nature of the problem or opportunity being addressed, the alternatives and their environmental effects, the nature of any concerns which are identified, and the responsibilities of the proponent. Through an effective consultation program, the proponent can generate meaningful dialogue between the project planners and stakeholders including the general public, property owners, community representatives, interest groups, review agencies and other municipalities. This allows an exchange of ideas and the broadening of the information base leading to better decision making. One of the principal aims of consultation, therefore, is to achieve resolution of differences of points of view, thus reducing or avoiding controversy and, ultimately, avoiding the use of the provision to require a project to comply with Part II of the EA Act which addresses individual environmental assessments.. Furthermore, contact with review agencies will ensure compliance with all public policy and regulatory requirements.
Municipal Class EA identifies minimum requirements only. Proponents must tailor these to address specific project needs.
This section discusses the main stakeholders and identifies the timing and type of mandatory notification requirements. These are a minimum only. Proponents must tailor the consultation program to address the needs of a specific project and its stakeholders. Supplementary information is provided in Appendix 5 while sample notices are provided in Appendix 6.