ID: 1904
Presenting Author: Jennifer Shalagan
Session: 622 - “Science isn’t just for scientists”: IA and advancing technical literacy
Status: pending
A reframing of the typical Environmental Impact Statement is proposed - one that accentuates the key findings to enhance understanding, ease reviewer fatigue and reduce negative outcomes.
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in Canada follow a standardized, sequential format that typically presents potential adverse effects early in the document—before describing how these effects will be mitigated. While this structure meets regulatory expectations, it can influence how readers perceive a project by emphasizing risks without immediate context. As a result, stakeholders, Indigenous groups and the public may form impressions before reaching the sections that explain mitigation and residual effects. This sequencing can contribute to misunderstanding, reduced process confidence and the unintended consequence of project opposition. A reframing of the EIS structure is proposed-one that reorganizes the flow of information to enhance understanding of final results. This structure leads with information pertinent to a broader audience and strategically repositions elements of the assessment. Key findings are brought to the forefront to briefly and clearly summarize potential effects, required mitigations, resulting residual effects and follow-up monitoring. Readers would be informed about “what might happen” and “what is being done about it” in tandem, providing a balanced plain language perspective on the assessment conclusions, prior to technical details. The revised structure presents a more digestible perspective on risks and conclusions, thereby enhancing understanding and confidence in the process. This approach aims to close the gap between technical assessment and general audience comprehension, leading to better informed decision making and outcomes.
Jennifer Shalagan (P.Biol.) is a regulatory specialist with EDI Environmental Dynamics Inc. with over 25 years experience in biophysical assessment, monitoring & management and regulatory compliance.