Public Information Session for Environmental Assessment of Marathon PGM
MARATHON, ON – December 8th a Public Information Session was held at the Moose Lodge in order to provide information about the environmental assessment process for the Marathon Platinum Group Metals and Copper Mine project near the Town of Marathon. In addition to representatives from theCanadian Environmental Assessment Agency, and Mayor and Council of Marathon were many interested residents. Handed out at the Information Session was the following information.
Federal Review Panel Process
What is a federal review panel?
A federal review panel is a group of experts appointed by the Minister of the Environment and selected on the basis of their knowledge and expertise. The review panel’s job is to review and assess, in an impartial and objective manner, a proposed project that may cause significant adverse environmental effects.
A panel will review the environmental impact statement prepared by the proponent, conduct public consultations, hold public hearings and submit a report of its conclusions and recommendations to the federal Minister of the Environment.
What are the Review Panel Terms of Reference?
The Review Panel Terms of Reference establish the mandate and authority of the panel, as well as the scope of project and scope of assessment. They also identify the review process and timeframes for conducting the review. Public consultation on the Terms of Reference occurs before they are finalized.
What are the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Guidelines?
The EIS guidelines specify the studies to be conducted and the information to be provided by the proponent in the environmental impact statement. Public consultation on the EIS guidelines occurs before they are finalized.
What is the Environmental Impact Statement?
The Environmental Impact Statement assesses the anticipated effects of the proposed project on the environment according to the EIS Guidelines. The proponent will submit the Environmental Impact Statement to the Panel once the Panel is established. The Panel will invite the public to participate in the review of the EIS once it is submitted.
What is a public hearing?
The public hearing provides an opportunity for Aboriginals, groups and members of the public to provide opportunities to present evidence, concerns and recommendations to the panel. The proponent has the opportunity to present the project to the public and explain the projected environmental effects. Government experts also present their views about the environmental effects of the project.
How can the public get involved in a panel review?
Public participation plays a crucial role in a panel review process. Members of the public are provided with a number of opportunities to participate in the process, for example by submitting written comments or submissions to the review panel. The public may also choose to appear in person before the review panel during the public hearing, to present information, concerns and recommendations.
What happens after the review panel issues its report?
Once a review panel has completed the public hearings and its analysis of potential environmental impacts, it must prepare a report. The report summarizes the panel’s rationale, conclusions and recommendations, and includes a summary of the public comments received. This report is submitted to the federal Minister of the Environment and is made public.
A response to the report is then prepared by the Government of Canada and is made public once it is approved by Cabinet.
Is funding available to take part in the environmental assessment process of the Marathon Mine Project?
Yes. The Agency’s Participant Funding Program is making available $50,000 to help individuals and not-for-profit organizations participate in Phase 1 of the environmental assessment.
Funded activities must relate directly to the environmental assessment of the project and may include community knowledge or Aboriginal traditional knowledge relevant to the environmental assessment.
Funding applications must be received by January 5, 2011.
For more information on participant funding or on this project review, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency web site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca .
To obtain information on the panel review process for the Marathon Mine Project and be kept informed of any activities, provide a mailing or e-mail address to:
Colette Spagnuolo, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin St. Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0541 or 1-866-582-1884 / Fax: 613-957-0941
marathonmine.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Fact Sheet
Participant Funding Program
What is the Participant Funding Program?
The Participant Funding Program is administered by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. It is a limited fund to support the participation of interested individuals, not-for-profit organizations and Aboriginal groups in key stages of the federal environmental assessment review process by means of comprehensive study, review panel, joint review panel or by mediation.
What types of funding exist?
The Participant Funding Program is comprised of two funding envelopes:
- The Regular Funding Envelope provides financial assistance to members of the public, not-for-profit organizations, and Aboriginal groups to participate in the public consultation opportunities provided during review panel and joint review panel processes, and comprehensive studies.
- The Aboriginal Funding Envelope provides funding to Aboriginal groups to assist them to prepare for and participate in Aboriginal consultation activities as well as public consultation opportunities associated with:
- review panel and joint review panel processes; and
- comprehensive studies of major resource projects.
Successful applicants may only receive funds from one envelope.
Who is eligible to apply for the Regular Funding Envelope?
Individuals, Aboriginal groups and not-for-profit organizations may apply for participant funding under the program, providing they can demonstrate that they meet at least one of the following criteria:
- have a direct, local interest in the project, such as living or owning property in the project area;
- have community knowledge or Aboriginal traditional knowledge relevant to the environmental assessment; or
- have expert information relevant to the anticipated environmental effects of the project.
Who is eligible to apply for the Aboriginal Funding Envelope?
To be eligible for the Aboriginal Funding Envelope, Aboriginal groups must plan to engage in Aboriginal consultation activities with the federal government that are linked to the environmental assessment of a proposed project by means of comprehensive studies of major resource projects, review panels and joint review panels.
What does the funding program cover?
The funding program covers expenses incurred to participate in environmental assessment or consultation activities. Expenses that may be considered for funding include fees for expert advice, travel expenses to participate in meetings or hearings and costs associated with information collection and dissemination.
How is the amount of funding determined for each environmental assessment?
A decision is made on the amount to allocate on a project by project basis considering:
- potential environmental effects of the project;
- the size and location of the project;
- the diversity of issues likely to be involved in the assessment;
- participant funding levels that may have been established for similar projects in the past; and
- available resources.
How are the funds accessed?
Applicants must complete an application form and send it to the Agency’s Participant Funding Program. Successful applicants must sign a standard contribution agreement and submit a request for payment with supporting documentation before they can receive the funds.
How are funds awarded for a specific project?
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency establishes an independent funding review committee that reviews the applications and makes recommendations on funding allocations. The President of the Agency makes the final determination on funding awards.
For more information on the Participant Funding Program, consult the Agency Web site at www.ceaa.gc.ca , contact the Agency toll free at 1-866-582-1884 or send an email to PFP.PAFP@ceaa-acee.gc.ca
