Environmental Assessment

Planning Process

The Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (the Act) and the associated regulation and guidance documents on waste management projects (O.Reg.101/07; MOE 2007a), require that an Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to Part II of the Act be completed for the development of a new landfill with a proposed capacity of more than 100,000m³. The EA process involves two steps.

1. Preparation of Terms of Reference; and
2. Environmental Assessment.

The image to the right presents the EA Process (click the image to view a full PDF). The EA is conducted based on the TOR as approved by the Minister.  The EA will:

• Identify alternatives;
• Assess the environmental effects;
• Determine the preferred alternative and its environmental effects;
• Develop measures to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate adverse effect of the alternative; and
• Provide detailed information on the alternative.

The EA process, associated studies, evaluations, and conclusions as well as conceptual landfill designs will be documented in the EA Report.

The EA also provides transparency in the decision-making and extensive opportunities for public consultation and involvement of Aboriginal Communities in the planning process. See the Community Consultation section for additional details.