An Integrated Approach to Environmental Assessment (EA): A Case Study of the Port Hope Area Initiative EA Program

Abstract

In 2002, the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Office (LLRWMO) was mandated to complete screenings of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) Projects, Port Hope and Port Granby, in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), but to the level of comprehensive studies. The LLRWMO therefore developed an Environmental Assessment (EA) approach that would: (i) assemble a multi-disciplinary team of experts from among Canadian engineering and environmental consulting firms; and (ii) complete each of the two EAs in an integrated manner and to an equal level of rigour. Nine separate consulting firms, providing expertise in a variety of disciplines, were contracted for the EA Team lead by the LLRWMO. To achieve the necessary level of integration within and consistency between the two EAs, a series of tools, including methodologies and templates developed by top EA practitioners, were adapted and introduced at critical milestones.