It's necessary to remain consistent. The proposed amendment would ensure that each project had had a specific environmental assessment. In other words, the regional assessment currently in place is necessary. However, we consider it insufficient. Many stakeholders told us that the lack of a project‑specific assessment under the acts could lead to conflicts and legal issues for the fishing industry, environmental groups and other users.
The proposed wording is fairly straightforward:
(a) by adding after line 12 on page 37 the following: (2.1) On receipt by the Regulator of an application for an authorization referred to in subsection (1) or of an application to amend the authorization, the Regulator shall conduct an environmental assessment of the proposed work or activity if the proposed work or activity is not subject to an impact assessment under the Impact Assessment Act. (b) by adding after line 25 on page 37 the following: (e.1) an environmental assessment conducted by the Regulator; and
That's my recommendation.