Approval of the Terms of Reference for the Class EA for Activities of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines under the Mining Act
The ministry’s approval of class environmental assessment terms of reference for projects related to surface rights, mining rights, and mine hazard rehabilitation carried out by the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
Notice of approval – terms of reference
Proponent: Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry
Environmental assessment (EA) file number: EA-02-12-02
As provided for by subsection 6(4) and section 13.2 of the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA), Terms of Reference (ToR) submitted May 6, 2011 and amended July 5, 2011, to govern the above-noted undertaking, are hereby approved.
Pursuant to section 14 of the EAA, the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA), submitted to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) pursuant to section 13 of the EAA, must be prepared in accordance with the ToR as hereby approved.
Reasons
I am satisfied that a Class EA carried out in accordance with the ToR dated July 5, 2011 will be consistent with the purpose of the EAA and the public interest for the following reasons:
- On the basis of the MOE review of the ToR and the public, agency and Aboriginal community submissions, provided during the 30 day comment period, the MOE is satisfied that a Class EA prepared in accordance with the amended ToR will provide for the betterment of the people of Ontario by providing for the protection, conservation and wise management in Ontario of the Environment, and will be in the public interest
- The MOE is satisfied that the ToR sets out the framework for the preparation of the Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry (MNDMF) Class EA consistent with the requirements in the EAA
- A Class EA for MNDMF activities will be consistent with other Ontario ministries longterm EAA coverage and the proposed ToR is the first step towards achieving this consistency
- The MOE is satisfied that consultation with government agencies, members of the public, Aboriginal communities and organizations, and other interested groups or individuals provided with sufficient opportunity to participate in the development comment on the ToR
- There are no unresolved issues related to the 30-day comment period on the ToR that have not been either adequately addressed in the amended ToR or unresolved issues that cannot be resolved in the development of the MNDMF Class EA
Dated the 23rd day of August 2011 at Toronto.
Original signed by
Minister of the Environment
77 Wellesley Street West, 11th Floor, Ferguson Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2T5