ABSTRACT

This paper contributes to the literature about environmental impact assessment follow-up, with case studies of stakeholder advisory groups associated with three mining projects in Nunavut, Canada. Based on an analysis of regulatory documents, we conclude that stakeholder advisory groups, as constituted and currently operating in Nunavut, are undermining aspects of the environmental assessment process. For example, potential impacts to wildlife that are invaluable to Inuit communities, as well as proposed measures to mitigate these impacts, have repeatedly been deferred to post-approval discussions in advisory groups. As a result, potential impacts and proposed mitigations are not adequately assessed during decision-making and permitting. Opportunities for public participation are curtailed, as advisory groups have no mechanism for public involvement and suffer from limited transparency. Moreover, these advisory groups have proven to be ineffective forums for guiding post-approval monitoring and addressing project effects. Other jurisdictions can learn from these experiences. A failure to implement best practice principles and stakeholder advice can lead to negative social and ecological outcomes.

摘要

本文通过与加拿大努纳武特地区三个采矿项目相关的利益相关者咨询小组的案例研究，为有关环境影响评估后续行动的文献做出了贡献。根据对监管文件的分析，我们得出结论，利益相关者咨询小组在努纳武特地区组建并目前正在运作，正在破坏环境评估过程的各个方面。例如，对因纽特人社区非常宝贵的对野生动物的潜在影响，以及减轻这些影响的拟议措施，一再被推迟到咨询小组的批准后讨论。因此，在决策和许可过程中，潜在影响和建议的缓解措施没有得到充分评估。公众参与的机会受到限制，由于咨询小组没有公众参与的机制，而且透明度有限。此外，这些咨询小组已被证明是指导批准后监测和解决项目影响的无效论坛。其他司法管辖区可以借鉴这些经验。未能实施最佳实践原则和利益相关者的建议可能会导致负面的社会和生态后果。