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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
PAC-RIM's approach to environmental assessment embodies the conceptual framework for Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) recommended by Beanlands and Duinker (1983), as adopted by the Federal Environmental Assessment Review Office (FEARO, 1986), and embraced under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
STRATEGY
- PAC-RIM’s proposed EIA methodology is based on the perception that, to achieve its socio-political goals, the EIA should be guided by the values and concerns of the public
- PAC-RIM's goal is the successful completion of a credible, defensible and transparent EIA
- EIA is carried out in accordance with a well-defined and scientifically rigorous strategy which incorporates:
- valued Environmental Components identified on the basis of public issues scoping;
- explicit criteria for the definition of impact significance; and
- clearly defined study boundaries to focus the assessment.
PROCESS
- Valued Environmental Components (VECS) are selected on the basis of identified public concerns and issues, as determined through an extensive issues scoping exercise
- VECs include environmental, social, cultural, heritage, and human health components of the environment
- Criteria are developed for the definition of impact significance, incorporating extent, nature, magnitude and duration of impact
- Study boundaries are established in consideration of ecological, technical, administrative and political restrictions on the assessment
- Project-VEC interactions are evaluated against the impact criteria and within the study boundaries, based on available data, consultation with experts, and professional judgement
- mitigation strategies are developed and the need for long-term monitoring identified
- The results of the EIA are included in the Environmental Management Plan to ensure effective environmental management over the life of the project
Project Description ||
Project Benefits ||
Public Consultation ||
Environmental Policy
Environmental Management ||
Environmental Assessment ||
Procurement Strategy ||
PAC-RIM
email pacenv@kermode.net
