Class Environmental Assessment Process

This study will comply with the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process for a ‘Group A’ project, as defined under the Class EA for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000).

The EA study process is based on a sequence of decision-making in which alternatives are assessed at an increasing level of detail as they become more focused, starting with a broad perspective, and narrowing to a more focused perspective as the study progresses.  Key steps in the study process are illustrated below:

Class Environmental Assessment Key Steps Diagram

External agency and public consultation will take place throughout the study, including three rounds of Public Information Centres  (PICs). The PICs will provide the public and interest groups an opportunity to discuss the study with members of the Study Team.

Upon completion of the study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) will be prepared. The TESR includes a description of the study and its purpose, the existing natural, social, economic and cultural environmental factors, the analysis / evaluation of alternatives that were considered, the recommended plan, the anticipated environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures, and commitments to further work, consultation, and monitoring associated with the implementation of the study.

Notices will be on the study website to announce future PICs and the TESR review. Notices will also be published in the North Bay Nugget and the West Npissing Tribune.

 

Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA)

An Environmental Assessment, or EA, is a decision-making process used to promote good environmental planning by assessing the potential effects of certain activities on the environment. In Ontario, this process is defined and finds its authority in the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (OEAA), RSO 1990. The purpose of the OEAA is to provide for the:

  • protection;
  • conservation; and
  • wise management of Ontario's environment.

To achieve this, the OEAA ensures that environmental problems or opportunities are considered and their effects are planned for, before development or building takes place.

To view the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act, click here .

 

Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities

The planning and design of MTO provincial transportation studies follows an approved provincial Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process that has been in place and updated regularly, since 1979.
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation developed the 'Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities', last amended July 14, 2000.

The Class EA process provides, in part, the following:

  • classification of projects and activities;
  • study stages and phases;
  • transportation engineering and environmental protection principles;
  • consultation principles and processes;
  • documentation and "bump-up" principles and processes; and
  • environmental clearance process.

The Class EA is a streamlined process under the OEAA for infrastructure projects and other undertakings such as municipals roads and sewers with predictable environmental impacts.  The process provides a decision making framework allowing the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) to be met in an effective manner.

To view the 'Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities' document, click here.

study update

Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) has been prepared to document the study findings.

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