HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnv - Role of Committee Liaison to Environmental Assesment WDate:January 11, 2011
To:Environmental Committee Members
Subject:Environmental Assessment Liaison
Environmental Committee
Environmental Assessment Liaison
Volunteers complement and support the work of staff accomplishing important tasks
that would not otherwise be done, and support programs that could cease to exist
without their participation.
Volunteers bring a wide variety of skills, knowledge and experience with them, all of
which combine to strengthen the organization. Therefore, the City strives to provide
volunteers with meaningful work that suits their skills and goes beyond mere job
shadowing, as well as a rewarding and challenging community-oriented volunteer
experience for all those interested in the goal of promoting sustainable communities in
an urban environment.
In general an Environmental Committee liaison will:
Serve as a communication link between the Committee and a particular Sub-
committee, Taskforce and/or Working Group;
Provide guidance, support and advice when/where appropriate;
Assist with research, activities, report preparation and correspondence when
needed.
If required, they will attend the appropriate Standing Committee meeting to
present the Committee’s recommendation; and,
Maintain a positive working relationship with the other volunteers.
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Assessment or EA is a decision-making process used to promote good
environmental planning by assessing the potential effects and benefits of certain
activities on the environment. In Ontario, this process is defined and finds its authority in
the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA).
The purpose of the EAA is to provide for the protection, conservation, and wise
management of Ontario's environment. To achieve this, the EAA ensures that
environmental problems or opportunities and alternatives are considered and their
effects are planned for before development or building takes place.
The EAA applies to most public sector undertakings (the proposed project or activity)
and to some private sector undertakings. Public sector undertakings, often infrastructure
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Environmental Assessment Liaison (Cont’d)
developments, include such things as: public roads and highways; transit facilities;
waste management facilities; sewage and water works; and flood protection works. The
EAA does not generally apply to private sector undertakings. Private sector
undertakings are projects of non-government organizations, private companies and
individuals.
Key components of an EA include: consultation during the preparation and submission
of the EA to the Ministry with those government agencies, members of the public,
municipalities, other stakeholders or aboriginal communities which may be affected; the
consideration of alternatives; and the mitigation and management of environmental
effects.
In general the Environmental Assessment liaison will be responsible for the
following:
1. Act as the Environmental Committee’s link / representative on a specific
Environmental Assessment public advisory committee.
2. Attend all public advisory committee meetings.
3. Present information and/or updates from the public advisory committee to the
Environmental Committee as necessary.
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