Approvals, Consultations and Engagement - Environmental Assessments and Permitting

13 important questions on Approvals, Consultations and Engagement - Environmental Assessments and Permitting

What is an Environmental Assessment?

Regulatory review process that identifies adverse effects of a project

What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?

Identifies future impact of a project

What are the common characteristics of an EA project?

- Large scale/large impact
- Public/First Nations profile
- Complex and diverse technical or social issues
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What three levels of government can be included in an EA and permitting?

Federal, provincial and local

What 5 pillars do Valued Components (VC) (the basis of an EIA) fall into?

Environment, social, economic, health and heritage. Has to be in area of impact of project.

How are Provincial EAs conducted in BC?

BC Environmental Assessment Act

How does the Impact Assessment Agency reduce duplication of EAs?

- Subsitution: Canada substitutes BC's process for its own - two decisions
- Equivalency: Canada determines BC's process equivalent to its own - one decision

What are common EA issues?

- Draft Application Information Requirements - what is out there
- Insufficient technical studies
- Schedule-driven agenda
- Lack of EA lead
- Involves First Nations and IPs early

What should Engineers know about indigenous groups?

- Engineers must be familiar with principles and aware of the case laws
-  Fiduciary obligation lies with Crown
-  Build relationship with discussion

What are the 3 levels of reducing/avoiding environmental impacts?

- Project design measures when a project is designed to avoid effects
- Mitigation - reduce effects
- Offsetting - compensating for unavoidable effects

Do smaller, less complex projects require an EA?

No

If a project does not trigger a review under the IAA what happens?

Trigger a review under BCEAA - provincial legislation

Engineer's role in Assessment phase?

Expert witness or material witness

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo