Permit Authorizations and Approvals
Environmental Project Management and Permitting Made Easy.
Permit Authorizations and Approvals
PHH ARC provides environmental permitting authorizations and approvals services to all levels of government and private sector clients. Environmental Assessment Certificates (EACs) are required for a range of projects under the BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA). Many projects also trigger assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). Our team has a strong working knowledge of the applicable provincial and federal environmental legislation such as Environmental Management Act, Wildlife Act, Water Act, Species at Risk Act and Fisheries Act. Services that our team can offer to help a project receive the proper environmental permits in a timely manner include:
- Project coordination and management
- Regulatory liaison
- Public and First Nations consultation
- Preparation of Project Description documents
- Preparation of Terms of Reference
- Preparation of EAC applications
- Other Permit or Approval Submissions
We emphasize the proper scoping of environmental assessments to avoid delays in permit approvals, and we have the experience to identify practical, cost-effective solutions. PHH ARC focuses on clear presentation of the issues that is both thorough and accessible to all stakeholders while meeting governmental regulatory and legislative requirements.
Project Coordination and Management
The permitting process most often requires the use of sub-consultants skilled in specialty disciplines (i.e. archaeology assessments). PHH ARC is an experienced project collaborator and has proven expertise of coordinating and managing multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating joint-venture projects. PHH ARC has a simple and practical approach to management of projects:
Planning and Communication: All project communications between team members and the client representative will flow through and from the Project Manager.
Processes and Procedures: PHH ARC's Vision project management system and Wide Area Network (WAN) allow project staff from multiple offices and affiliates to access project information in an expedited fashion.
In addition, PHH ARC has developed, for all aspects of our work, systems to ensure the consistent quality and delivery of our services, reports, and specifications.
Regulatory Liaison
Our permitting experts are knowledgeable and current with provincial and federal regulatory framework for environmental assessments. We have extensive experience consulting with government regulators, as well as presenting and discussing projects with stakeholders. Our team can navigate the permitting and authorization process through all stages of project planning and construction. PHH ARC understands how to secure environmental permits and approvals to advance your project.
Public and First Nations Consultation
Public and First Nations consultation is an important component for any project, from planning and design through construction, operations and decommissioning. The earlier consultation is initiated, the earlier potential project concerns can be identified and addressed. Consultation activities range from describing a proposed project and the potential impacts (positive and negative) on surrounding communities, gathering information to use in project design and planning, learning about First Nations knowledge of the land, and learning about the current land use practices in the area.
Our team can coordinate and implement the various consultation activities that are required, including preparing public notice documents, facilitating open houses to share information on the project, conducting Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) studies, and compiling socioeconomic baseline information and impact assessments.
Preparation of Project Description Documents
Project Description documents form a key part of the framework for regulatory and stakeholder knowledge and understanding of a project. Project Description documents identify the proponent, describe the activities that will be undertaken for a project, the environmental and social setting for a project, and the anticipated provincial and federal legislation that the project will encounter through the permitting process. Our team is skilled at preparing Project Description documents that are clear, concise and written in straight-forward language that is accessible to a wide range of interested parties.
Preparation of Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for a project define the scope, objectives and deliverables for a project that enters into the environmental assessment process. TOR documents are mutually agreed upon by the proponent and the authorizing government body, and are the template for preparing the environmental assessment documents. Our team is experienced with developing and writing TOR documents, and focuses on developing clear, concise objectives and goals for the subsequent phases of the environmental assessment process.
Preparation of EAC Applications
The preparation of a provincial or federal EAC application often requires the collaboration of numerous interested parties, including the proponent, government, consultants, sub-consultants, and interested stakeholders. The EAC application contains all project information, including the Project Description, consultation activities, environmental and social baseline setting and impact assessment, mitigation measures and environmental management plans. EAC applications are open for comment by government, First Nations and any other interested parties for a defined time period.
Other Permit or Approval Submissions
Many times projects are subject to compliance with legislation or regulations that are administered by different government agencies, including the BC Ministry of Environment, BC Ministry of Energy and Mines, the BC Ministry of Lands, Water and Natural Resource Operations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada. Our team is experienced in navigating and coordinating the additional authorizations, approvals or notifications that may be required to ensure a project is permitted in a timely manner.
