Meet the Environmental Assessment Team
The Environmental Assessment: Our Role
The Environmental Assessment Process
Baseline Assessment Information
Before construction can proceed, The Red River Floodway Expansion Project requires the preparation of an environmental assessment under both The Environment Act (Manitoba) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Under the provisions of the Canada-Manitoba Agreement on Environmental Assessment Cooperation, Manitoba and Canada have agreed that both governments will participate in a cooperative review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) of the proposed project. Consistent with the bilateral commitment by Canada and Manitoba to a cooperative environmental assessment review process, the environmental assessment will also be attentive to both federal and provincial regulatory requirements. A Project Administration Team (“PAT”), consisting of representatives of Manitoba and Canada, has been established to assist the administration of this cooperative process.
In July 2003, the Manitoba Floodway Expansion Authority (MFEA), the
project proponent, filed an Environment Act Proposal Form with
Manitoba Conservation,
initiating the environmental review process.
In August 2003, Draft
Guidelines for the preparation of the EIA on
the project were developed and posted on the Manitoba government
website. Public representations in respect of the Draft Guidelines
have been
received
by Manitoba Conservation and are being considered by the PAT. Shortly,
it is anticipated that these Guidelines will be refined to provide
further guidance to the design and execution of the EIA.
A product of the EIA process is a report known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Once the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is completed, it will be subject to public review, culminating in public hearings conducted by the Clean Environment Commission. It is anticipated that a formal EIS will be submitted with Manitoba Conservation in late summer of 2004. The public hearings will be convened in the Fall of 2004 to review public issues raised in the environmental assessment process and to assist the CEC in providing advice and recommendations to the provincial Minister. The federal responsible authority(ies) will at the same time make recommendations to their ministers as to the potential for approvals of the Project.
The EIS will describe the project in environment-related terms, such
that public citizens, interest groups, and other parties at interest
can determine their specific concerns and suggestions for the
Project. The EIS will describe opportunities for enhancement
of project
benefits as much as on opportunities to mitigate predicted adverse
effects.
As well, the EIS will report on the Public Involvement Program
undertaken during the environmental assessment process, and will
indicate how
input
from the public affected either the project, or the EIA, or both.
TetrES Consultants and InterGroup Consultants, both Manitoba-based
consultants, have been contracted by MFEA to conduct the environmental
assessment
and prepare the EIS.
Individuals having interest in the EIA are encouraged to respond using the feedback mechanisms contained in the environmental assessment project website here.
Individuals interested in participating in the development
and execution of the project itself are encouraged to contact
the
proponent of the project, the Manitoba Floodway Expansion
Authority, at:
Manitoba Floodway
Expansion Authority
200 - 155 Carlton Street
Winnipeg,Manitoba
R3C 3H8
Phone: (204) 945-6663
