Site C. BC Environmental Assessment Office. Working Group Meeting

Transcription

1 Site C Environmental Assessment Working Group Meeting Linda Jones Panel Manager, Review Panels Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Brian Murphy Executive Project Director BC Environmental Assessment Office February 19, 2013 Fort St. John 1

2 Meeting Objectives and Ground Rules Meeting Objectives Review EA process and next steps Overview of the EIS Opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification Ground rules: Assume good intent Respect for all in the room Allow others the opportunity to ask questions Focus on possibilities not obstacles The goal is to understand, not to agree 2

3 Ground Rules cont. Issues outside the agenda will be recorded in a parking lot for consideration by CEAA/EAO Housekeeping Turn off blackberries and cell phone ringers Breaks at 10:30 and 2:00 Working lunch at 12:00 3

4 Meeting Agenda 1.0 Welcome and Introductions EAO/CEAA 9:00 9:15 Review of meeting purpose and objectives 2.0 Review and Update on the EA Process EAO/CEAA 9:15 9:45 Presentation and Q s and A s 3.0 Draft EIS Proponent 9:45 10:30 Presentation and Q s and A s BREAK 10:30 10: Draft EIS Proponent 10:45 12:00 Presentation and Q s and A s WORKING LUNCH (Provided) 12:00 12: Draft EIS Proponent 12:30 2:00 Presentation and Q s and A s BREAK 2:00 2: Draft EIS Proponent 2:15 2:45 Presentation and Q s and A s 7.0 Next Steps EAO/CEAA 2:45 3:00 4

5 Questions and Answers Time for questions after each presentation Raise your hand for a microphone Participants on the phone please follow operator s instructions 5

6 Site C Environmental Assessment Process Linda Jones Panel Manager, Review Panels Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Brian Murphy Executive Project Director BC Environmental Assessment Office February 19, 2013 Fort St. John 6

7 Overview of Presentation Environmental assessment review process for Site C The Agreement for a Cooperative Process Role of the Working Group Stages of the review Aboriginal Consultation 7

8 Agreement for Cooperative Federal-Provincial Process for Site C Agreement for a cooperative environmental assessment process announced February 2012; Reflects provincial and federal requirements for an environmental assessment and includes an independent joint review panel Outlines timelines, opportunities for public participation, Aboriginal consultation and the mandate of the Joint Review Panel. Agreement amended August 2012 to reflect new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Amendments relate to timelines and reporting requirements for the Panel 8

9 Working Group Membership Federal, provincial and territorial government agencies, (including those of British Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest Territories); Aboriginal groups and local governments that have been identified as having an interest in the Project. Mandate provide advice to the Agency and EAO on issues related to the assessment of the Project; No decision-making role in relation to the assessment of the Project. 9

10 Overview of EA process Pre-panel stage (target 24 months) Joint Review Panel Stage (target 8 months) Post panel Stage (target 6 months) August 2011 August 2013 April 2014 Sept Aboriginal Consultation 10

11 1. Pre-Panel Stage Development of 2 key documents 1. Guidelines for the environmental impact statement (EIS) 2. The EIS Working Group to review and comment on documents Agency and EAO determine that EIS is satisfactory Anticipated timeline for this stage 24 months 11

12 2. Panel Review Stage 3 member joint review panel appointed by Ministers Provincial nominee, federal nominee, and jointly nominated chair Panel will: determine EIS sufficiency; conduct public hearings; prepare Joint Review Panel Report (recommendations to governments). Anticipated timeline for this stage 8 months 12

13 Joint Review Panel Report Panel Report to include: rationale, conclusions and recommendations relating to the environmental assessment of the Project, including any recommended mitigation measures and follow-up programs; recommendations to avoid/minimize potential adverse effects on asserted or established Aboriginal rights and treaty rights; a summary of comments received, including those from the public and Aboriginal groups; and recommendations for conditions that could be attached to a provincial Environmental Assessment Certificate. 13

14 3. Post-Panel Stage Joint Review Panel Report submitted to EAO Executive Director and federal minister of the Environment Coordinated public release of Joint Review Panel Report 45 days after submission to Executive Director, EAO and federal Minister of the Environment - allows for translation of the report and preparation of draft referral package EAO and the Agency finalize their information for consideration by federal and provincial ministers Federal and provincial governments make decision 14

15 Aboriginal Consultation Opportunities for Aboriginal-Crown Consultation: 1. Participation in Working Group 2. Meet directly with federal and provincial government to discuss issues 3. Make submissions to the Joint Review Panel Joint Review Panel is mandated to: Receive information about how the project may adversely affect asserted or established Aboriginal and treaty rights; Make recommendations which, if implemented, would avoid or minimize potential adverse effects of the Project on Aboriginal and treaty rights. 15

16 Next Steps: EIS Review February 2013 to August 2013

17 Overview of EA process Pre-panel stage (target 24 months) Joint Review Panel Stage (target 8 months) Post panel Stage (target 6 months) August 2011 August 2013 April 2014 Sept Aboriginal Consultation 2

18 EIS Review ( some dates anticipated) May 20 /13 Jan 28/13 April 4/13 April 29/13 June/13 July- August/13 WG Review & Comment EAO & Agency provide WG comments to Proponent Proponent submits responses to comments WG Comments on Proponent responses Issue resolution and WG meetings as required Proponent submits amended EIS 3

19 Comments and questions? Linda Jones Panel Manager Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Brian Murphy Executive Project Director BC Environmental Assessment Office Ross Neil Federal Crown Consultation Coordinator Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Ken Howes Project Assessment Manager BC Environmental Assessment Office