Impact Studies and Assessments
Beacon Environmental has extensive experience in undertaking environmental impact assessments, both as project managers and as part of multi-disciplinary teams. We have conducted environmental impact assessments following a wide range of federal and provincial EA processes:
• Federal CEAA Comprehensive Studies
• Federal CEAA Screenings
• Provincial Class EAs
• Local Planning Environmental Impact Studies (EISs).
Beacon Environmental staff have participated in a wide range of projects, including large undertakings such as the Inco Voisey Bay mining site in northern Labrador and the proposed Inco Argentia Smelter in Newfoundland. Other EA projects have included natural heritage assessments for roads, bridges, water works, and the construction of federal and municipal facilities.
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Beacon Environmental has high-level, in-house capabilities in the assessment of a wide range of functions and attributes, both terrestrial and aquatic. This includes inventory and assessment of flora and vegetation communities, fish, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, dragonflies and butterflies. These field skills have been applied to a variety of projects including: Ecological Risk Assessment, Natural Areas Planning, Environmental Assessments (federal, provincial and Class), Environmental Impact Studies and due diligence appraisals. Beacon staff have taught two of the key ecological field courses in Ontario, including instructing for over 15 years the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System training course.
Provincial and Federal Environmental Assessments
A strength of Beacon Environmental is its depth of knowledge and experience in addressing both the federal and provincial environmental assessment legislation. Having worked as project coordinators as well as part of multi-disciplinary teams conducting natural heritage investigations, we are proficient in all aspects of EA work.
Experience with large multi-jurisdictional EAs includes various mines in Ontario, Quebec, Labrador and Nunavut, energy facilities in Ontario, and a proposed smelter in Newfoundland.
Environmental Impact Studies
A strong understanding of current planning policy is pivotal in all successful planning applications, regardless of size. With decades of experience in land development of all types, Beacon provides the full range of expertise: field surveys for aquatic, botanical and wildlife, analysis, policy review/conformity. Beacon will expertly navigate the complex multiplicity of planning regimes that govern land use change in southern Ontario.
ORMCP and Greenbelt Plan Natural Heritage Evaluations
Governed by specific legislation, land use change within these two unique geographic regions can be daunting. Beacon has worked with both the ORMCP and Greenbelt extensively and can provide expert advice on conformity.
Ecological Risk Assessment
Beacon staff have conducted Ecological Risk Assessments for non-human receptors. These studies have been completed as either stand alone reports or as part of larger projects. Beacon has the capacity for study design, executing field investigations, and conducting the analysis.
Fishery Compensation Projects
Working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Beacon staff have completed numerous fishery compensation projects under the federal Fisheries Act. With decades of experience, Beacon has extensive knowledge of provincial legislation, in-water works guidelines, permitting and approvals. Projects have ranged from small private landowners to major projects associated with land and highway development, mines and dams.
Due Diligence Assessments for Natural Heritage Features
With the complexity of natural heritage policy, whether on the Oak Ridges Moraine, within the Greenbelt or somewhere outside, prospective land purchases for development have never posed the amount of risk as they do today. Beacon Environmental will assess a subject property to identify and determine likely constraints and opportunities for land development prior to purchase.