Case Studies of Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management in Western and Northern Canada (Part 1)
Moderator: Lorraine Seale, Alan Erlich, Graham Seagel
Presentations
The NWT Environmental Stewardship Framework
Presenter(s): David Livingstone
Concern about the potential cumulative effects of development in the Northwest Territories (NWT) has catalyzed the development and implementation of a broad environmental stewardship framework that establishes a context for responsible economic development in the NWT. The framework has five broad components: vision; planning and environmental programs; assessment, regulation and enforcement; administration; and audit and reporting. Most components are entrenched in land claims-based legislation. The remaining programs and activities are largely policy and mandate-based.
Managing Cumulative Effects of Oil and Gas Development in Northeast British Columbia: Preparing for the Boom
Presenter(s): George Hegmann
The BC Oil and Gas Commission (OGC) and the Muskwa-Kechika Management Board (MKMB) supported research into how to manage cumulative effects of pending large-scale oil and gas development in northeast British Columbia, Canada. This vast region has a substantial natural gas opportunity, a major natural area referred to as the “Serengeti of North America” for its still-large populations of ungulates and carnivores, and is an area of traditional use by many aboriginals. This presentation describes various solutions developed to manage the burgeoning influx of exploration and production.
A Strategic Assessment Approach to Oil and Gas Rights Management in the Beaufort Sea, NWT (Part One)
Presenter(s): Tom Duncan, Jess Dunford, Paul Fraser, Heidi Klein, Mieke Vander Valk
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) required a tool for supporting oil and gas rights issuance activity in the Beaufort Sea. Interest in Beaufort oil and gas raised the need for a strategic approach to its assessment. The tool needed to have an integrated framework: environmental, social and economic. Aboriginal groups, industry, government and non-government organizations were involved in the development. INAC undertook development of a GIS-based Decision Support Tool (DST) in order to meet these requirements.
A Strategic Assessment Approach to Oil and Gas Rights Management in the Beaufort Sea, NWT (Part Two)
Presenter(s): Heidi Klein, Jess Dunford, Paul Fraser, Tom Duncan
A GIS-based decision support tool (DST) was developed to facilitate decisions related to oil and gas exploration in the Beaufort Sea. The tool identifies regions of high, medium or low probability for exploration while flagging those areas of least to greatest environmental sensitivity. Its intended future use includes identifying areas, which may be sensitive to cumulative changes. This paper will discuss the development of the DST and its potential use for strategic planning and cumulative effects management.
Cumulative Environmental Effects Assessment for the Mackenzie Gas Project: Lessons Learned
Presenter(s): Alan Kennedy
The Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) comprises three natural gas production fields, a gas gathering system, and a 1,300 Km. pipeline from Inuvik NWT to Alberta.The cumulative environmental effects assessment (CEA) included scoping of temporal and spacial elements, baseline evaluation, comparison of future oil and gas exploration and development scenarios. The paper discusses study boundaries, future development scenarios, reasonably foreseeable activities, and resource threshold evaluation. The paper will provide lessons learned and will contribute to CEA best practice.