Notice of approval – terms of reference

Proponent: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Environmental assessment file number: EA-02-02

As provided for by section 6(4) of the Environmental Assessment Act, Terms of Reference, as submitted for approval to the Ministry of the Environment on May 5, 2006 and amended through the submission of Terms of Reference dated June 15, 2006 to govern the preparation of an environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, are hereby approved.

Pursuant to subsection 6.1(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, any environmental assessment for the above-noted undertaking, submitted to the Ministry of the Environment pursuant to subsection 6.2(1) of the Environmental Assessment Act, must be prepared in accordance with the Terms of Reference as hereby approved.

Reasons

I am satisfied that an environmental assessment prepared in accordance with the amended Terms of Reference will be consistent with the purpose of the Environmental Assessment Act and the public interest for the following reasons:

  1. The Terms of Reference requires that the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority meet the intent of the Environmental Assessment Act by providing for the identification of issues and concerns, and the preferred means of addressing them with due regard to the adoption of environmental management, protection and mitigation measures.
  2. The Terms of Reference has been made available for comment to the public and has been reviewed by government agencies. As a result, the Terms of Reference has been revised to address the issues raised. The Terms of Reference provides a balanced and reasonable approach to consider issues as part of the proposed study. There are no significant outstanding concerns that cannot be addressed in the Environmental Assessment.
  3. The Terms of Reference ensures that flood protection, and the area for the floodplains and naturalization can be defined as part of the Environmental Assessment study.
  4. The Terms of Reference requires the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to implement a consultation plan during the preparation of the environmental assessment. In addition, the Environmental Assessment Act requires continued consultation and documentation of the consultation for the preparation of the environmental assessment. As well there will be additional opportunity for public and agency consultation when the environmental assessment is submitted for approval to the ministry.

Dated the 17th day of August, 2006 at Toronto.

Original signed by:
Minister of the Environment
135 St. Clair Avenue West, 12th floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1P5