What is an Environmental Assessment?
The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) applies to proposed environmental activities such as waste disposal. The purpose of this Act is to provide protection, conservation and wise management of Ontario’s environment. Under this Act, it is required that proponents evaluate reasonable alternatives for the purpose of establishing required disposal capacity through an Environmental Assessment (EA) Study.
The EA Study assesses the potential effects of certain activities on the environment. It involves the comparison of alternatives, considering both advantages and disadvantages to the environment (natural, social, economic) and results in the identification of a preferred alternative. The EAA requires that two types of alternatives be considered in this type of EA Study:
- "Alternatives to" or alternative approaches (i.e., technologies) to provide disposal capacity and,
- "Alternative methods" of implementing the preferred approach (i.e., facility siting).
The scope of both sets of reasonable alternatives that will be evaluated in the EA study, are initially defined in the EA Terms of Reference. This Terms of Reference is the framework (or game plan) for preparing the EA Study and is used as a benchmark for reviewing the EA.
Upon completion, the study is submitted to the Minister of Environment for review and approval. Design, construction and operation of the facility(ies) would proceed only after Ministry of the Environment (MOE) approval has been issued.
What is the Environmental Assessment Approvals Process?
There are four steps to the EA process. These steps are outlined below:
Step 1 - Develop Proposed EA Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference describe how the Regions of Durham and York will meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. The Terms of Reference is developed based on consultation with the public in the form of information sessions and workshops.
Step 2 - Provincial Approval of the EA Terms of Reference
The Minister of the Environment will review and decide on approval of the Terms of Reference within 12 weeks of submission. The Ministry will also seek comments on the Terms of Reference from the public and other interested bodies. If there are particular issues that need to be addressed, mediation may be undertaken between the Ministry and the Regions.
Step 3 – Environmental Assessment Study
In consultation with the public, the study will evaluate various alternatives for waste disposal. Preferred technologies and locations will be determined, and a competitive bid process involving technology vendors will begin. Once a vendor is chosen, a number of detailed impact studies including ecological and human health evaluations will determine the suitability of the proposed facility, as well as addressing other provincial legislation requirements.
Step 4 – Provincial Approval of EA Study
The public will be notified of the formal submission of the study to the Minister, and the Ministry will begin another public review. Any member of the public will have 30 days to make a written submission to the Minister regarding the study. Once the review is complete, the Minister may approve the study, use a mediator to address particular issues or conduct a public hearing. Development of the undertaking will occur when the Ministry has approved the study.
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