ID: 2133
Presenting Author: Lucy Groves
Session: 518 - IA Ideas Worth Stealing
Status: pending
Practical tools and guidance for responding, tracking and supporting the consensus seeking process in IA
In British Columbia, the Impact Assessment (IA) process is guided by the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on achieving Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The BC IA framework includes four key milestones where consensus must be sought with Indigenous Nations. IA participants work together to find solutions and support an Indigenous Nation in making an informed decision regarding project consensus. However, tracking and documenting consensus outcomes often lacks clear pathways to address issues raised during IA. This PechaKucha presentation shares practical tips for managing and responding to project information requests, emphasizing the importance of transparent issue tracking. Drawing on experience from the Fraser River Tunnel Project in Metro Vancouver, Canada, which successfully navigated a shortened review timeline while responding to over 1,500 information requests. The project team implemented practical tools to track and respond to concerns, earning praise from regulators for completeness and transparency.
Lucy Groves, R.P.Bio, is an Environmental IA Specialist at WSP, with over five years of experience guiding major infrastructure projects and developing tools and processes to support successful impact
Coauthor 1: Allison Flaherty