Public consultation is vital to Ontario Municipal Class Environmental Assessment studies. It is important not only to notify and inform the public of a study, but also to ensure that anyone with an interest and insight into the context of the issues, environment and history of the area, has the opportunity to provide input throughout the study process. Critical to this involvement is for the proponent to "listen" to the concerns and issues raised throughout a project and endeavour to respond appropriately and completely with a context oriented solution. This paper describes key methods used in Ontario Municipal Class Environmental Assessments for Schedule 'C' projects to elicit public input, while resolving potential issues, concerns and/or conflicts with stakeholders. The purpose of the paper is to identify effective public consultation methods and to provide guidelines to proponents, consultants, and other practitioners of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process on the most effective ways to engage stakeholders. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD number E216511.
Samenvatting