Evaluation of an Environmental Impact Statement for the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Modifications to the Petitcodiac River Causeway

Authors

  • Davin Kristofer St. Pierre Dalhousie University

Keywords:

environmental impact assessment, environmental management, cumulative effects assessment, social impact assessment, monitoring

Abstract

This paper is an evaluation of the environmental impact assessment report for the modifications to the Petitcodiac River Causeway. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is an internationally utilized tool that is applied to inform decision makers of the environmental effects of industrial, commercial, and municipal undertakings (among other human activities); beyond this, EIAs provide a knowledge base for similar undertakings in the future. Using scholarly literature on the topic and regulatory framework references, this paper examines the expectation, reality, and divergence of three key themes in the given report with the aim of gauging its performance as an example of a modern EIA. Based on the report‘s commitment to monitoring and follow-up, cumulative effects assessment, and social impact assessment, the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Modifications to the Petitcodiac River Causeway performs very strongly in light of academic criticisms of typical Canadian EIA practices. 

Author Biography

Davin Kristofer St. Pierre, Dalhousie University

Davin St. Pierre holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick. He is currently a candidate in the Masters of Resource and Environmental Management program at Dalhousie University where he concentrates his studies on material supply chains, waste management, and sustainable development. His keen interest in sustainable development has led him to pursue further academic research in the field.

References

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Published

2014-04-03

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Articles

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