Environmental Impact Assessment in Saskatchewan

1. Environmental Impact Assessment in Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment SARM Regional Meeting June 19, 2013 Saskatoon

2. Overview • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Saskatchewan • EIA Process • Public Participation • Other Regulation

3. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Saskatchewan • Program Mandate: • Ensuring that economic development in Saskatchewan proceeds with adequate environmental safeguards and in a manner understood and broadly acceptable to the public. • The process is formalized through The Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), which is administered by the Environmental Assessment (EA) Branch.

4. EIA Process Improvements • The EIA process has been modernized to: • Increase the clarity and transparency of the EIA process for all clients; • Improve internal efficiencies; • Decrease cost to industry and government; and, • Decrease the number of low-risk, non-development applications submitted to the EA Branch.

5. Screening of a Proposal • Screening is a process to determine whether a proposed project is a “development” within the meaning of the Act, and subject to an EIA.

6. Screening

7. Determination • If proposal deemed not a development, the proponent will receive a Ministerial Determination indicating an EIA is not required. • Enforceable conditions • Proceed to downstream permit/approvals stage • If proposal deemed a development, the proponent is required to conduct an EIA.

8. Scoping • Identifies the key impacts to be studied and establishes how information will be obtained, and how information will be presented and evaluated in a statement.

9. EIA and Statement • Proponent prepares an Statement presenting the conduct and findings of the EIA: • Environment described • Description of proposed new, altered, or expanded project, operation, or activity • Likely environmental impacts • Alternatives considered • Studies and analysis on environmental impacts • Aboriginal consultation • Public and stakeholder consultation • Proposed methods to reduce or prevent environmental impacts • Environmental impacts that can’t be reduced or prevented. • Other applicable regulatory requirements • Monitoring and Reporting

10. Public Comment • Once the statement is deemed adequate, the statement and the report from our office are released for public review and comment • Legislated 30 day review • Minister can extend additional 30 days

11. Decision • Following the public review, a recommendation is provided to the Minister. • The Minister makes an informed decision to: • Approve the development with whatever terms and conditions are deemed necessary or • Refuse to approve the development.

12. Conditions Management • Proponents are required to report annually on their commitments. • Conditions are managed by each regulatory agency. • Terms and conditions are set to ensure environmental safeguards are implemented.

13. Ministry of Environment Environmental Assessment Branch 4th Floor, 3211 Albert Street Regina, SK S4S 5W6 www.environment.gov.sk.ca