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December 27, 2002
Work is beginning on the Petitcodiac River Causeway Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and an initial round of public consultations is being planned for the end of January 2003.
AMEC is leading the consortium of firms hired to conduct the EIA. The consortium includes Jacques Whitford Environment Limited, ADI, GEMTEC, the Canadian Hydraulic Centre and Gardner Pinfold Consulting Economists.
The Study Manager is Gregory Gillis, AMEC's Vice-President for Atlantic Canada. "We've established a unique New Brunswick-based team of companies and EIA specialists to conduct this study, as well as to ensure the public is involved every step of the way," he said. "Jacques Paynter of AMEC will lead the consultation process and Jeff Barnes of Jacques Whitford Environment Limited will manage the EIA study."
Final Guidelines for the study issued in July 2002 by the Province indicate that the first task is to draft Terms of Reference for the overall study.
"Terms of Reference are established at the outset to identify the specific methods which will be used to carry out the various activities required, as well as our public consultation program. Plans for generating the information and undertaking the analyses required to meet the Guidelines in the EIA Study Report are a central focus for the Terms of Reference," said Mr. Gillis.
"Public input at this early stage is also valuable in helping to identify key issues as the study goes forward. We will be encouraging broad community discussion and feedback on our draft Terms of Reference document, before submitting it to the Department of Supply and Services for final approval."
The Study Team will be distributing the draft EIA Terms of Reference for public review in mid-January 2003, and plans consultation sessions across the Petitcodiac region near the end of next month.
"Every partner in our consortium has a strong background in environmental impact assessment. Our collective experience on such EIA projects demonstrates that active community involvement early on, and at various key stages throughout the study, can make a major positive contribution to the final result," Mr. Gillis said.
For further information, contact:
Jacques Paynter or Gregory Gillis - (506) 855-3070
Backgrounder: AMEC EIA Study - Petitcodiac River Causeway
On July 26, 2002, New Brunswick's Minister of Environment and Local Government issued final Guidelines for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the Petitcodiac River Causeway.
A harmonized federal/provincial EIA process has been designed for this study that will satisfy the requirements of New Brunswick's EIA Regulation, as well as the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The goal of the EIA is to identify a long-term solution to fish passage and ecosystem issues relating to the causeway.
The New Brunswick Department of Supply and Services is the 'proponent', or sponsor, of the Petitcodiac River Causeway study. Within the department's responsibility to manage the EIA Study, it has proposed potential modifications to the existing causeway, including:
- a new fishway
- opening of the causeway gates during peak fish migratory periods
- opening the causeway gates permanently
- construction of a partial bridge.
As well, the status quo will be assessed to provide a baseline condition against which to evaluate the other project options.
On August 2, New Brunswick's Minister of Supply and Services issued a Request for Proposals to engage a consultant to undertake the required Environmental Impact Assessment Study.
A number of consulting firms and EIA specialists responded to the RFP, and submitted proposals to the Department of Supply and Services in early September.
On November 27, 2002, the AMEC consortium was chosen to undertake the Study, projected for completion in 2005.
AMEC's Team for this EIA is headed by Gregory Gillis, AMEC's Vice President for Atlantic Canada. A major emphasis on public consultation throughout the process is also integral to this Study. Jacques Paynter of AMEC will serve as Study Facilitator and coordinate the Team's consultation program, which will begin in January, 2003. Jeff Barnes of Jacques Whitford Environment Limited will manage the EIA study.
The New Brunswick-based companies in the consortium are: AMEC, Jacques Whitford Environment Limited, ADI Ltd. and GEMTEC Ltd.
Final EIA Guidelines issued by the Province last July indicate that the first task is to draft EIA Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Study.
- The TOR must clearly describe the methods proposed for carrying out the EIA, and the means by which the public, other stakeholders and Aboriginal communities will be consulted during the course of the study.
- In addition, the TOR must outline the components of any proposed field programs, any anticipated challenges/obstacles to be encountered, proposed modelling approaches, key members of the Study Team, and all specific tasks to be completed as part of the study.
- In particular, the TOR should include a detailed description of how the physical environment of the estuary will be assessed by data collection and modelling, and identify the experience of relevant staff with modelling software in doing similar studies
Public consultation will be a key component in developing the TOR for this Study. Since being chosen as project consultants on November 27, 2002, the Study Team has been working to prepare an initial draft of the TOR, which will be ready for public distribution in mid-January 2003. Public consultation sessions are being planned for late January, throughout the Petitcodiac region, during which the public, stakeholders and Aboriginal communities will be able to provide comment on the draft Terms of Reference.
Once the TOR for this Study are finalized, a detailed timetable will be generated for the overall process, including the extensive opportunities for further public involvement as the Study goes forward.
When the Study is complete and a final EIA Study Report is ready, the proponent (the Department of Supply and Services) will submit the EIA for regulatory review by provincial and federal authorities, under their applicable environmental legislation.
Questions or comments regarding this site should be directed to:
Sherry Sparks - Environmental Impact Assessment Manager,
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