Preparing the impact study

During this stage, the project proponent undertakes an impact study that complies with the directive issued by the Administrator.

It should be noted that Article 5 of the Regulation respecting the environmental and social impact assessment and review procedure applicable to the territory of James Bay and Northern Québec sets out the essential elements that should be found in an impact study, including:

a. “a detailed description of the project, including its objectives, possible alternative sites, the identification of the territory and populations likely to be affected, an evaluation of the equipment and the activities related to the various phases of the carrying out of the project, as well as the extent and make-up of the personnel required, and energy assessment and materials (input and output) employed by the project, an evaluation of available material, technical and human resources required for operating the project, a statement of subsequent phases of the project as well as possible stages of future development;

b. a description of the environment, in particular the land (topography, geology, soil and drainage), water (hydrology and qualitative aspects thereof), the atmosphere (climate, localized climates and qualitative aspects), flora and fauna, including data respecting the ecological reports and the interaction between various elements of the environment, the scarcity, the fragility, the productivity, the variety, the development and the localization of those elements;

c. a description of the social milieu, populations in particular (demography, place of residence, ethnic composition), land use (man-made constructions, dwelling-places, public services, roads, known heritage sites, cemeteries and burial sites), wildlife development (methods of management, utilization and importance of various species), revenues and usage (standard of living, employment, firms), social institutions (education, public services, transportation and other service undertakings), health and welfare, social structures (family, community, ethnic relations), and culture (values, goals and aspirations);

d. an evaluation of the impact which the project is likely to have on the environment and the social milieu, described in accordance with subparagraphs b and c, including direct, indirect, cumulative, long and short term, reversible and irreversible, local, regional and national effects which are likely to take place at various stages of the carrying out of the project, with reference to the reliability and accuracy of the data used as well as restrictions imposed on the impact assessment statement due to lack of information and areas showing uncertainty or risk;

e. a description of reasonable alternatives to the site of the project on the territories referred to in section 133 or 168 of the Act and of reasonable alternatives to certain elements of the project, including a comparative evaluation of costs, advantages or dangers of each alternative on the environment and social milieu;

f. a description and an evaluation of corrective and restorative measures to reduce or minimize the negative effects of the project on the environment and social milieu, including any measure intended to promote the desirable effects of the project.

The accuracy of the details provided in the impact assessment statement must correspond to the extent and the consequences of the identified impacts.”

The impact assessment statement must also meet COMEX’s expectations and needs as set forth in the document entitled Consultations Conducted by the Proponent : Expectations of the Review Committee.