Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

This Study will follow the approved planning process for a Group ‘B’ project under the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (amended 2000) (Class EA). Alternatives will be generated and evaluated based on technical and environmental factors and in consultation with Indigenous communities, public stakeholders, municipalities and government agencies. A Public Information Centre will be held during this Study to provide interested parties with the opportunity to discuss the Study and provide input to the Project Team.

A Transportation Environmental Study Report will be prepared to outline the environmental assessment process, consultation, impacts, mitigation measures, and preliminary design details. Upon completion of this Study, the Transportation Environmental Study Report will be placed on the public record for a 30-day public comment period.

There is an opportunity at any time during the study for interested persons to provide input to the Project Team including comments and information regarding the Study. Comments are being collected to assist Ministry of Transportation with the preliminary design and to meet the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on file for use during the Study and may be included in project documentation. Information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Ontario Environmental Assessment Act - Ministry of Transportation Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process

The purpose of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act is to help protect and conserve Ontario's environment by ensuring that projects subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act follow a planning process leading to environmentally sound decision-making.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000) outlines the Environmental Assessment process to be followed for specific groups of provincial transportation projects. The Class Environmental Assessment is approved under the Act and provides a streamlined process which projects or activities within a defined “class” must follow. Provided that this process is followed, projects and activities included under the Class Environmental Assessment does not require formal review and approval under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

Project groupings within the Class Environmental Assessment have been established as follows:

Group "A" - Projects involving new facilities
Group "B" - Projects involving major improvements to existing facilities
Group "C" - Projects involving minor improvements to existing facilities
Group "D" - Activities that involve operation, maintenance, administration and miscellaneous work for provincial transportation facilities

For projects subject to the Class Environmental Assessment, an environmental assessment involves identifying and planning for environmental issues and effects prior to implementing a project. The process allows reasonable opportunities for public involvement in the decision-making process of the project.

Other aspects of the environmental assessment process applicable to these project types are contained in the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). Readers interested in these matters are encouraged to refer to that document.

Schedule

Study schedule of anticipated key milestone dates:

Notice of Study Commencement: August 2022

Public Information Centre:
Spring 2024

Transportation Environmental Study Report:
Spring 2024

Note: Study schedule is subject to change and will be updated throughout the project.

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