Notice of approval

Proponent: The Corporation of the Town of Cochrane
Environmental assessment (EA) file number: MU-0108-02

Take notice that the period for requiring a hearing, provided for in the Notice of Completion of the Review for the above noted undertaking, expired on November 7, 1997. I received ninety (90) submissions before the expiration date. Thirty-seven (37) submissions required a hearing by the Environmental Assessment Board. The public, including the submitters, had been advised that the Minister was considering applying section 9 of the Act with respect to the Environmental Assessment (which has the effect of eliminating the acceptance decision which was necessary prior to January 1, 1997) and were invited on several occasions to make submissions on that proposal. One (1) submission, from a group of residents in the vicinity of the proposed site, identified concerns with the elimination of the acceptance decision. However, I have reviewed the issues raised to support their concern and have determined that elimination of the acceptance decision will not inhibit the consideration of issues, or the effective evaluation of this Environmental Assessment.

An order was made on the 25th day of September, 1997, pursuant to subsection 12.4(3) of the amended Environmental Assessment Act making certain of its provisions apply with respect to this Environmental Assessment. Pursuant to subsection 12.4(3), I reorder that the provisions of sections 7.1 and 7.2, Section 9 (other than paragraph 9(2)(2), and other than the reference to subsection 6.4(2) in paragraph 9(2)(5), sections 11 to 11.3 and section 12.2 apply.

I do not consider it advisable or necessary to hold a hearing. Having considered the purpose of the Act, the Environmental Assessment, the Review and submissions received, I hereby give approval to proceed with the undertaking, subject to conditions set out in the Attachment.

Reasons

My reasons for giving approval are:

  1. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment and the Review, the proponent’s conclusion that, on balance, the advantages of this undertaking outweigh its disadvantages appears to be valid.
  2. Issues raised in the submissions are best addressed by the attached Conditions of Approval, and through the Environmental Protection Act Certificate of Approval process.
  3. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment, the Review, the proposed Conditions of Approval under the Environmental Assessment Act and those that may be imposed under the Environmental Protection Act, the construction, operation and maintenance of the undertaking will be consistent with the purpose of the Act (section 2).
  4. The Government Review Team has indicated no outstanding concerns that cannot be addressed through conditions of approval. The public review of the Environmental Assessment did not identify any outstanding concerns which cannot be addressed through these conditions of approval or conditions of a Certificate of Approval.
  5. The Conditions of Approval proposed provide several additional opportunities for public review and input, through the Site Liaison Committee, regarding the ongoing operation of the site, and the monitoring and contingency plans to be finalized through the Environmental Protection Act Certificate of Approval process.
  6. The issues raised by the Fournier Action Committee after the Notice of Completion was published are being dealt with through conditions where appropriate. I am not aware of any outstanding issues with respect to this undertaking which suggest that a hearing should be required.

Dated the 23rd day of June 1998 at Toronto.

Original signed by
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 15th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5

Approved by O.C. number 1705/98