Notice of approval – terms of reference

Proponent: Regional Municipality of Niagara
Environmental assessment (EA) file number: EA-03-08-02

As provided for by subsection 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, the Terms of Reference for the undertaking referenced above, as submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment on May 17, 2013, 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, dated May 2013, will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The Terms of Reference requires that the proponent meet the intent 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 adoption of environmental management, protection and mitigation measures.
  2. The Terms of Reference has been reviewed by the public and the Government Review Team. There are no outstanding concerns that cannot be addressed in the environmental assessment.
  3. The Terms of Reference requires the proponent to implement a comprehensive consultation plan during the preparation of the environmental assessment. In addition, the Environmental Assessment Act requires consultation and documentation of the consultation during the preparation of the environmental assessment. As well, there will be additional opportunities for public and government agency consultation when the environmental assessment is submitted to the ministry.

Dated the 7th day of November, 2013 at Toronto.

Original signed by
Minister of the Environment
77 Wellesley Street West, 11th floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2T5