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Environmental Impact Assessment
Across Canada, developments and construction projects are springing up all over the place. The pursuit of development is never-ending, and that’s the case internationally, not just throughout our country. But there’s no escaping the fact that construction work tends to have an impact on the natural
environment, even just beyond the space which is being built on. Some of these effects are relatively easy to swallow, others not so much. Before any development work begins, it’s now legally required that an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is carried out to determine whether the project is feasible or not – and these EIA reports have particular importance nowadays, given the modern appreciation for the harm that general society does to the environment. At EIA Toronto, we’re happy to provide an array of services that tackle this issue head-on – and we feel we’re the perfect choice to carry out an environmental impact assessment on your behalf. Learn more about these EIA reports, and their importance, by reading on below.
What is an Environmental Impact Assessment?
Let’s start with the basics – what is an environmental impact assessment? In the most basic terms, an environmental impact assessment is a set of processes to determine the potential environmental impact of a proposed project. Notably, these assessments must be completed before the proposed project begins any physical work. The idea, essentially, is to learn of any adverse effects a project might have, ensuring that we don’t cause unexpected damage to our fragile natural environment. By making sure the EIA is carried out as early as possible, it gives more time for the project proponent to re-work their plans to offset the potential impacts they might have once had.
Potential Impacts
The natural world has suffered a great deal over the last century or so, and while there’s an increasing awareness of humanity’s effect on the planet, more still needs to be done. There are numerous reasons that a development project might need to be scrapped or reimagined – in the past, we’ve found that developments might cause the decline of marine life or migratory birds, or that the food sources of an Indigenous population could be impacted. Naturally, this is only a small sample of what could go wrong.
Projects Covered
Generally speaking, an environmental impact study is required to examine the implications of a development project – although, it’s not necessarily required for every single construction. Over the years, we’ve found ourselves investigating projects for new mines, highway extensions, new waterways, natural gas facilities, and other designated projects (projects which involve a physical activity with the potential to cause enormous damage). Of course, general constructions projects are still covered by this requirement too.
Probable Benefits
The primary objective of an EIA is to protect the environment from harm, but there are numerous other benefits to bear in mind that you might not have expected. These assessments can be a good opportunity to welcome public involvement in the discussion, particularly when engaging with Indigenous peoples. Beyond that, improvements to the protection of human health, and reduced risk of project setbacks and delays are worthwhile considerations.