Notice of approval

Proponent: Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton
Environmental assessment file number: MU-0647

Take notice that the period for requiring a hearing, provided for in the Notice of Completion of the Review for the above noted undertaking, expired on March 01, 2000. I received seven submissions before the expiration date. One submission requested a hearing by the Environmental Assessment Board.

I do not consider it advisable or necessary to hold a hearing. Having considered the purpose of the Act, the Terms of Reference, the Environmental Assessment, the Review and submissions received, I hereby give approval to proceed with the undertaking, subject to conditions set out below.

Reasons

My reasons for giving approval are:

  1. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment and the Review, the proponent’s conclusion that, on balance, the advantages of this undertaking outweigh its disadvantages appears to be valid.
  2. No other beneficial alternative method of implementing the undertaking was identified.
  3. Issues raised in the submissions regarding the Light Rail Pilot Projectare best dealt with in the Conditions of this approval.
  4. On the basis of the proponent’s Environmental Assessment, the Review and the conditions of approval, the construction, operation and maintenance of the undertaking will be consistent with the purpose of the Act (section 2).
  5. The Government Review Team has indicated no outstanding concerns that can not be addressed through conditions of approval. The public review of the Environmental Assessment did not identify any outstanding concerns which can not be addressed through these conditions of approval.
  6. The submissions received after the Notice of Completion of the Review was published are being dealt with through conditions where appropriate. I am not aware of any outstanding issues with respect to this undertaking which suggest that a hearing should be required.

Conditions

  1. The Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton shall comply with the provisions of the Environmental Assessment all of which are incorporated herein by reference, except as provided in these conditions and as provided in any other approvals or permits for the site.
  2. These conditions do not prevent more restrictive conditions being imposed under other statutes.
  3. The Region will follow the MOE's Guidelines for Use at Contaminated Sites in Ontario when dealing with contaminated soils encountered during construction.

Dated the 21st day of June 2000 at Toronto

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 15th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5