Environmental Impact Assessment

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Understand how Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are conducted at both Federal and Provincial levels in Canada, and become familiar with EIA-related legislation.
• Conduct the screening of proposed projects effectively.
• Navigate and implement procedures for public participation in the EIA process.
• Utilize various impact assessment methods.
• Devise mitigation measures and monitoring programs, and prepare EIA reports.

Description
Under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required for designated projects like building mines, roads, or dams. EIA is a planning and decision-making tool to assess and address the impacts of the proposed development before they start.

EIA helps us understand the project's environmental setting, predict the potential impacts and suggest measures to mitigate the adverse impacts if there were any. EIA includes components of monitoring and follow-up programs to ensure the impacts are managed in compliance with sustainability and applicable regulations. Benefits of conducting an EIA include protecting the environment and human health, avoiding adverse effects, increasing positive results, and enhancing understanding of project impacts from the input of Indigenous peoples and the public.

The main objective of this workshop is to introduce attendees to the basics and principles of Environmental Impact Assessment. The specific goals are to provide the following:

• A general understanding of the federal legislative framework for EIA
• An introduction to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and its online resources
• A review of the main steps and procedures for conducting EIAs
• An overview of the required background information
• An introduction to harmonization between Federal and Provincial governments

Who Should Attend
Consultants involved in Environmental Assessment • Project Developers in the Public and Private Sectors who would require an understanding of the EIA Process for Possible Review of EIA Reports and Environmental Engineers and Practitioners. 

Syllabus

• EIA Legislation Definitions
• Screening and Scoping
• Public Participation
• Environmental & Social Impacts Identification
• Impact Analysis
• Baseline and Existing Conditions
• Mitigation and Impact Management
• Impact Assessment Methods
• Monitoring and Follow-up
• EIA Report
• Harmonization between Federal and Provincial EIA Systems
• Case Studies
• Questions and Answers