Environmental Assessment Regulations Enhanced

New amendments to the province's Environmental Assessment Regulations will make them more clear and allow better protection of the environment.

They will enhance the environmental assessment process and give Nova Scotians more time to offer input during reviews of development projects.

"These changes were made after listening closely to industry and to Nova Scotians," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment. "Now, the process will be more accessible and more fair."

The amendments also will help to meet the objectives of the Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act, which aims to protect the health of the environment while working to provide a healthy economy.

During public consultations held in 2003-04, and ongoing input from key interest groups, there was general agreement about amendments that should be made.

The amendments to the Environmental Assessment Regulations took effect Wednesday, Aug. 6, and include:

• Setting a time period for public comment at 30 days, up from the 10- to 14-day period that was the norm for environmental assessments of Class 1 projects. The extended period is more in line with other jurisdictions.
• Extending the overall review period -- including public comment, staff report preparation and ministerial review and decision -- to 50 days, from 25, for projects in the Class I category.
• Changing the list of projects requiring environmental assessment to ensure the level of assessment needed is appropriate given the risks to the environment.(Class 1 projects are usually smaller in scale, and may have less potential to cause significant environmental impacts. Class 2 projects are typically larger, with a greater potential for impacts.)
• Requiring tidal-power projects capable of producing at least two megawatts of energy to have an environmental assessment.
• Re-classifying energy projects to require a more comprehensive review if they have potential to produce higher levels of greenhouse gases and air pollutants.
• Recognizing aboriginal peoples' interest in the environmental assessment process.

For a plain-language summary of amendments to the environmental assessment regulations, go to www.gov.ns.ca/nse/ea .

Environmental assessment is a planning and decision-making tool used worldwide to promote sustainable development. Nova Scotia's environmental assessment process is defined in part IV of the Environment Act, located on the same web page.