Notice of approval

Proponent: Ministry of Transportation
Environmental assessment (EA) file number: EA-02-07

As provided for by subsection 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, Terms of Reference, as submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment on June 15, 2007 and revised through the submission of Terms of Reference dated July 2007, to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, is hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 6.1(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, submitted to the Ministry of the Environment pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, must be prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The Terms of Reference prepared by the Ministry of Transportation, meets the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act by providing for the identification of issues and concerns, and the preferred means of addressing them with due regard to the adoption of environmental management, protection and mitigation measures.
  2. The Terms of Reference has been made available for comment to the public and Aboriginal communities and has been reviewed by government agencies. As a result, the Terms of Reference has been revised to address the issues raised. The Terms of Reference provides a balanced and reasonable approach to consider issues as part of the proposed study. There are no significant outstanding concerns that cannot be addressed in the environmental assessment.
  3. The Terms of Reference provides for adequate assurances that there will be coordination with other transportation studies and that the most updated and protective policies will be applied. This will be in accordance with prescribed legislative requirements.
  4. The Terms of Reference requires Ministry of Transportation to implement a consultation plan during the preparation of the environmental assessment. In addition, the Environmental Assessment Act requires continued consultation and documentation of the consultation for the preparation of the environmental assessment. As well there will be additional opportunity for public and agency consultation when the environmental assessment is submitted for approval to the ministry.
  5. The ToR establishes a framework that if followed will result in a completed environmental assessment that will contain a sufficient level of detail to accurately assess the environmental effects of all alternatives and the proposed undertaking. This will help to ensure that the completed environmental assessment will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest.

Dated the 4th day of March, 2008 at Toronto.

Original signed by
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5