Notice of approval

Proponent: Laidlaw Environmental Services Limited
Environmental assessment file number: PR-LA-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 January 31, 1997. I received six submissions before the expiration date and one submission after the expiration date. One of the seven submissions required a hearing by the Environmental Assessment Board. That requirement for a hearing was withdrawn. 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 to make submissions on that proposal. None did.

Pursuant to subsection 12.4(3) of the amended EAA I order that the provisions of section 9 (other than paragraph 9(2)2 and other than the reference to subsection 6.4(2) in paragraph 9(2)5) apply with respect to the Environmental Assessment.

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 Attachment A.

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. No other beneficial alternative method of implementing the undertaking was identified.
  3. Issues raised in the submissions regarding compensation are best addressed by the proponent through their Good Neighbour Program.
  4. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment, the Review and the conditions of approval, the construction, operation and maintenance of the undertaking will be consistent with the purpose of the Act (section 2).
  5. The Government Review Team has indicated no outstanding concerns that can not be addressed through conditions of approval. The public review of the Environmental Assessment did not identify any outstanding concerns which can not be addressed through these conditions of approval or conditions of a Provisional Certificate of Approval.
  6. The submissions received after the Notice of Completion of the Review was published are being dealt with through conditions where appropriate, and the only notice requiring a hearing was withdrawn. I am not aware of any outstanding issues with respect to this undertaking which suggest that a hearing should be required.

Dated the 28th day of April 1997 at Toronto

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment and Energy
135 St. Clair West, 12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5