The following schedules are intended to assist proponents in understanding the status of various projects. The types of projects and activities listed are intended generally to be categorized into Schedules A, A+, B and C with reference to the magnitude of their anticipated environmental impact.  In specific cases however, a project may have a greater environmental impact than indicated by the Schedule and in such instances the proponent may, at its discretion, change the project status by elevating it to a higher schedule.  Consequently, in selecting the appropriate project schedule, it must be recognized that level of complexity will vary depending on the nature of the project.  This is discussed in Section A.2.1.1.  Given the varying levels of complexity, the divisions among Schedules A, A+, B and C projects are therefore often not distinct.  While the Class EA document defines the minimum requirements for the environmental assessment planning, the proponent is responsible for “customizing” it to reflect the complexities and needs of a specific project. 

The foregoing should be considered not only at the outset of project planning but as one proceeds through the process and reviews / confirms the project schedule. 

Key considerations when screening potential effects are outlined in Appendix 3 and include requiring property, affecting watercourses, affecting fisheries, affecting significant natural heritage features (e.g. woodlots and wetlands), or having impacts which are considered significant to your community. 

For example, a project may be a Schedule A or A+.  It may, however, have potential major impacts such as requiring property, removing trees, affecting watercourses, affecting fisheries, or having impacts which are considered significant in your community.  Accordingly, while it may technically be a Schedule A or A+, the proponent should carefully consider the appropriateness of that selection, since it would likely be more appropriately carried out as a Schedule B or C. 

Take, for example, the redesignation of an existing general purpose lane as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane.  This could be accomplished with the installation of low cost traffic control devices and as such could be considered as a Schedule A project.  However, the potential changes to general purpose traffic patterns could be significant and could have effects on adjacent businesses or communities and as such should perhaps be considered as a Schedule B or C project. 

A proponent may elect to undertake an individual environmental assessment should the magnitude of the project, the anticipated environmental impact of the project or its controversial nature warrant it.  Following the selection of the most appropriate schedule, the proponent is encouraged to document their rationale for the selection.  
 

In selecting the most appropriate Schedule, proponents should bear in mind the requirement to plan large or extended projects in their entirety. Projects, for example, which are to be implemented in

stages over an extended period of time shall be planned in their entirety at the time when the first stage is to be undertaken and shall not be broken up, or piecemealed, into smaller components. 

The Schedules shall be viewed inclusively in order to ensure that the correct schedule is selected. The proponent shall review all applicable schedules to ensure the correct choice of Schedule. In cases where components of a single project fall within more than one Schedule, the more rigorous Schedule shall apply. 

Overlap Between EA Approvals: 

Where two or more components of a project are not covered entirely within either the roads schedules or the water and wastewater schedules it will be necessary to plan the project under the more rigorous of the schedules. For example, a project consisting of a new road crossing a new dyke could not be planned in its entirety under either the roads or the water and wastewater schedules.  In such cases, the proponent shall plan the project in accordance with all applicable requirements but may document the planning process in one Project File or ESR. 

The decision to proceed under one set of schedules rather than another, shall not be open to challenge nor be grounds for a request for a Part II Order. 

Background Studies: 

Background Studies are exempt from the Class EA process. 

Schedule A activities are Pre-approved. The proponent may proceed without following the procedures set out in any other part of this Class EA. 

Projects which take place partly outside the proponents municipal boundary shall be planned at least under Schedule B, other than normal or emergency operational activities which shall be Schedule A. 

Schedule A+ activities are Pre-approved, however, the public is to be advised prior to project implementation. The manner in which the public is advised is to be determined by the proponent.

(see Section A.1.2.2 re: Schedule A+) 

Schedule B activities, having completed Phases 1 and 2 of the planning process, are Approved Subject to Screening. If the screening process through Phases 1 and 2 results in other requirements of this Class EA being applicable, then those requirements must be fulfilled. 

For Schedule B activities, the proponent shall contact specific agencies and potentially affected members of the public (see Screening Criteria under Appendix 3). For example, if a road widening project affected a motel and associated tourist facilities then the proponent should contact the Ministry responsible for tourism and recreation. 

Agreements made or commitments given by the proponent to affected agencies or members of the public during the course of the screening process must be followed through and implemented or else the conditions of the EA Approval will be deemed to be unfulfilled. If a party has a concern that cannot be resolved by discussion and negotiation between that party and the proponent, then the procedure to request an order may be invoked (see Section A.2.8). By the nature of Schedule B activities, however, it is anticipated that this will not occur frequently. 

Two points of contact with the public are mandatory under the screening process. The proponent may select the method of public notification which best suits the circumstances of the specific project under consideration (see Exhibit A.2 - Flow Chart and Section A.3.5 Public Consultation). 

Schedule C activities shall follow the planning procedure outlined in this document. 

The following tables indicate under which Schedule a project is expected to fall. Certain types of project are clearly Schedule A or A+ and are Pre-approved, without financial limit. Other projects are clearly Schedule B and are approved subject to screening, without financial limit. 

Other types of road projects, however, by their nature, may be relatively large in terms of their total cost, whereas their environmental impact may or may not be significant. Such projects are, therefore, set out in the Tables within predetermined cost ranges and may be A, A+, B or C.  A determination as to which Schedule is appropriate will require the proponent to prepare a cost estimate for the project during Phase 2 when the appropriate Schedule is still under consideration (see Glossary definition of “Cost”). 

In the Tables, the following notations apply: 

Regarding the identified cost limits, the MEA Monitoring Committee will review these on an annual basis and any changes will be subject to a minor amendment.