DETERMINING APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Each project undergoing an environmental assessment has its own unique set of circumstances. Thus the approach to public participation suitable for one situation may not be suitable for another. When developing solutions for environmentally sensitive projects, the degree of public participation can vary widely. At one extreme there is little or no public participation. In this situation the proponent determines the "best" solution to a problem and submits this solution for an environmental assessment (command approach). At the other extreme, the proponent works with the public to develop a mutually acceptable solution, in effect it is joint decision making (consensus approach). This paper examines: 1) the options along the spectrum, 2) the situational variables which influence the selection of a particular approach to public participation, and 3) the implications different levels of participation have for a proponent. It also presents a mapping chart to help determine the level of participation appropriate for any given set of variables. References are made to two projects: 1) the proposal by Transport Canada to construct additional runways at Lester B. Pearson International Airport and 2) the activities of the Siting Task force established by the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources to examine locations for storing low level radioactive waste. For the covering abstract of this conference, see IRRD number 854079. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/1895102529
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • DRIEDGER, T
• Conference:
  • TRANSPORTATION AND NATIONAL PROSPERITY - PROCEEDINGS OF THE 1993 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 19 TO 22, 1993, VOLUME 4
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: A3-A24

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Decision making; Environment; Evaluation and assessment; Impact studies; Land use planning; Public participation
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• ITRD Terms: 8018: Canada; 8525: Conference; 2248: Decision process; 2455: Environment; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 9112: Impact study; 142: Public participation; 359: Regional planning
• Subject Areas: Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00662100
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• ISBN: 1-895102-52-9
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 28 1994 12:00AM