EA Process

This project is following the approved environmental planning process for Group ‘B’ projects under the MTO Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000), with the opportunity for public input throughout the project.

​An online Public Information Centre (PIC) will be held to present findings and provide interested persons with an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed Detail Design. A notice will be published in local newspapers and sent to those on the study contact list to identify when the PIC material will be available for comment online.
​
Upon completion of the Detail Design study, a Design and Construction Report (DCR) will be prepared and filed for a 30-day public review period. The DCR will document the Class EA process followed, including a description of the Recommended Plan, potential environmental effects and the final mitigation plan. At that time, a Notice of DCR Submission will be published in local newspapers and sent to the study contact list to explain the review process.

The DCR will document:

• Study objectives;
• Consultation with external stakeholders, the public and Indigenous communities;
• Updates to the existing environmental conditions documented in Preliminary Design, as required, and a summary of additional Detail Design investigations undertaken;
• A detailed description of the Recommended Plan, including any proposed modifications since Preliminary Design;
• A description of the environmental impacts and associated mitigation measures;
• A Summary of Environmental Concerns and Commitments;
• Identification of all project approvals, licenses and permits which have been or must be obtained; and
• Further commitments to be addressed during construction.

​
​In accordance with the MTO Class EA, there is no ‘bump-up’ opportunity (i.e., opportunity to make a Part II order request to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks) during Detail Design. However, interested persons are encouraged to review and comment on the DCR. If there are no outstanding concerns after the 30-day review period has expired, construction may commence without further notice.