WSR Project Environmental Assessment

Webequie First Nation (WFN) is conducting an environmental assessment (EA) study under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act and an impact assessment (IA) study under the federal Impact Assessment Act for the Webequie Supply Road Project. 

Federal - Provincial Coordinated EA

For the Webequie Supply Road Project, the two levels of government follow the coordinated EA process and produce one body of documentation.

The single EA document will address the requirements of both the provincial Terms of Reference (ToR) and the federal Tailored Impact Assessment Guidelines (TISG).

To help facilitate a coordinated process, an EA Coordination Team has been established for this project that includes representatives of both the federal and provincial governments. The purpose of this team is to address and coordinate the requirements of both processes in an efficient manner.

EA Coordination Team

The mandate of the EA Coordination Team is to meet with the Webequie Project Team on a regular basis, in a forum where team members can exchange information, including:

  • Providing each other with updates on the EA process;
  • Explore issues and collectively try to resolve them before they compromise the EA process;
  • Work on coordinating the EAs and keep the processes moving forward in lockstep to the greatest possible extent; and
  • Seek feedback on Indigenous and public and stakeholder consultation. Meetings with the EA Coordination Team are scheduled to occur every two weeks via teleconference, and in person when it is determined to be of assistance.

The EA Coordination Team is comprised of the following provincial and federal agencies:

Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines
Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks
Ontario Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

EA Process Milestones

As part of the coordinated federal-provincial EA process, the Webequie Supply Road Environmental Assessment will include the following process milestones, as presented in figure:
  • Pre-EA Planning, including signing of the voluntary agreement to participate in the process, development of the ToR and the Tailored Impact Assessment Guidelines;
  • EA commencement;
  • Environmental baseline studies and preparation of the Environmental Assessment Report/Impact Statement (EAR/IS);
  • EA decision; and
  • Monitoring and follow-up

Coordinated Webequie Provincial – Federal Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment Process

Initiated

Project Concept Development and Evolution

Webequie First Nation Principles and Environmental Stewardship
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Project Description
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Traditional Knowledge

Completed

Determine if Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment (EA/IA) is required and Planning for the process

Terms of Reference Phase
Three-Tier Model Inherent Rights - Webequie First Nation prepares to engage members and neighbours on provincial EA Terms of References
Federal Impact Statement Planning Phase
Webequie First Nation submits Initial Project Description –> Followed by Detailed Project Description-> Agency issues Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines

Completed

Evaluation of Alternatives: Gather Information and Assess Effects

Webequie First Nation conducts studies, surveys, discussions and consultations and compares different options to find the safest and most effective road alignment, aggregate sources, and construction camp sites.

Current Status

Environmental Assessment/ Impact Assessment

Webequie First Nation conducts studies, consults, and prepares Environmental Assessment Report /Impact Statement in accordance with approved Terms of Reference / Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and Three-Tier model.

Next Steps

Review the Environmental Assessment Report/ Impact Statement (EAR/IS)

Early circulation of the draft Environmental Assessment Report/ Impact Statement for Indigenous communities’ review planned for Spring 2025.

Future Steps

EA/IA Decision

To be updated.

Finish Line

Post EA/IA Approvals/ Permits

To be updated.

Project Phases

Implementation of the Project will occur in phases. The potential interactions with the natural, cultural and socio-economic environments and the potential occurrence of residual impacts are anticipated to be different in each phase. In order to focus the impact assessment, the above key activities can be divided into the three main phases:

 

Construction: All the activities associated with the initial development of the road and supportive infrastructure.

Operation and Maintenance: All activities associated with operation and maintenance of the road and any other permanent supportive infrastructure (e.g., operation and maintenance yard, aggregate pits) that will be needed for the life of the road

Decommissioning/Closure: All activities required to decommission/close the road.  The Project will operate for an indeterminate time period; therefore, retirement (or decommissioning) is not anticipated.

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