Overview
This course is designed to introduce you to a systematic process for predicting and evaluating the significant environmental consequences of a proposed action or undertaking. This process—environmental assessment (EA)—has been applied primarily to new infrastructure projects, such as power plants, highways, pipelines, dams, mines, airports, incinerators, and landfills. Assessment processes have also been used to consider the implications of new technologies, plans, and policies that may result in significant social and biophysical effects. This course focuses on EA processes—what they are meant to accomplish and how they are designed or should be designed to be effective, efficient, and fair. It also focuses on new innovations in Indigenous-led assessment and social impact assessment, as well as the role of community engagement in EA processes.
Outline
Unit 1: History and Key Features of Environmental Assessment
Unit 2: Setting a Standard for Environmental Assessment in Canada—the Berger Inquiry on the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline
Unit 3: Setting a Standard for Environmental Assessment in Canada—the Ecosystem Approach
Unit 4: Legislated Environmental Assessment at the Federal Level in Canada
Unit 5: Legislated Environmental Assessment at the Provincial Level in Canada
Unit 6: Indigenous Issues and Environmental Assessment in Canada
Unit 7: The Role of the Public in Environmental Assessment
Unit 8: Biophysical Impact Assessment and Cumulative Environmental Effects
Unit 9: Social Impact Assessment
Unit 10: Case Study—Environmental Assessment of the Red Hill Valley Parkway
Unit 11: Prospects for the Advancement of Environmental Assessment
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to
- define the aims and objectives of environmental assessments (EAs), as well as key terms and concepts in EA;
- identify the role and relevance of EA as a potential venue that can contribute to sustainability;
- describe the different steps and components of an EA process, particularly in Canada;
- design a mock EA process for a concrete proposed project and guide the proponent through all the key steps to carry out a high-quality EA;
- critically analyze and apply evolving Indigenous approaches to EA processes; and
- critically analyze and apply equity, diversity, and inclusion approaches to EA processes.
Evaluation
To receive for ENVS 305, you must complete and submit all the assignments, and you must achieve an overall grade of for the course.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Selection of Proposed Project for Environmental Assessment Assignment | 15% |
| Assignment 2: Ecosystem Approach and the Berger Inquiry | 30% |
| Assignment 3: Public Participation in Environmental Assessment | 25% |
| Assignment 4: Major Assignment鈥擠esign an Environmental Assessment Process | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course鈥檚 start date:
Richardson, M., Sherman, J., & Gismondi, M. (1993). Winning back the words: Confronting experts in an environmental public hearing. Garamond.
Other Materials
All other course materials can be found online.