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MCEA Proposed Amendment - Request for Membership Comments
September 15, 2019
Major Amendment to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA)
The MEA's MCEA Advisor, Paul Knowles, with the support of the MCEA Monitoring Committee, has been working diligently since the spring to streamline and develop proposed major amendments to the MCEA process. The proposed amendments are now available for review/comment by MEA members. The various amendment documents are availabe for review below. In summary, the proposed amendments include the following changes:
Roads
- All stockpiling of Salt is Schedule A
- A number of projects that were Schedule A if < $2.4M or Schedule B if > $2.4M shifted to Schedule A or A+
- A number of projects that were Schedule A shifted to Schedule A+ to ensure the community is notified
- All roads (incl. collector/arterial) required as a specific condition of a planning approval are Schedule A
- Road Diets and Roundabouts are included in Schedule A+
- If heritage aspects of a bridge are addressed, reconstruction with the same vehicle capacity is Schedule A+.
- Reconstruction of expressways is included in Schedule C
Water/Wastewater
- ​A number of existing items have been combined
- ​ 4 items that deal with standby power combined into 1 item
- 10 items that deal with works yards combined into 1 item
- 4 items that deal with retiring facilities combined into 1 item
- Projects must be required as a specific condition of a planning approval or subject to planning requirements and these terms will be added to the glossary.
- LID features have been added to Schedule A and A+
- A number of projects shifted from Schedule A to Schedule A+ to provide notice to the local community
- A number of projects have been shifted from Schedule B to Schedule A+ as the technical requirements are covered by an ECA and PTTW. Property acquisition is used as a trigger – most projects are Schedule A+ unless property acquisition is required.
- Infrastructure crossing water course is clarified – Schedule A+ if replacement, trenchless or attached to existing bridge.
- New open cut or new bridge support is Schedule B.
Transit
- Make all traffic control devices and safety projects Schedule A+ to be consistent with the Roads section
- For water crossings refer to vehicle capacity not hydraulic capacity
- Shift reconstruction, new stations, new passenger pick up, and new maintenance facilities from Schedule B or C to Schedule A+ to provide notice to the local community and rely on the planning approval process.
Other Sections
​Executive Summary, Glossary and other sections re-written to include update information related to Bill 108, the EA renewal process and changes made to Appendix 1
- A.1.2.2 Project Schedules - Section is re-written to explain the exemption of Schedule A and A+ projects provided by Bill 108 and to describe the responsibilities of municipalities related to these projects to be accountable to their citizens
- Various sections revised to include information from the Companion Guide
- A.1.4 Phase-In - Section revised for current amendment
- A.1.5.1 Monitoring of Municipal Class EA – Section revised to include process for submitting notices to MECP
- A.1.7 MECP Codes of Practice – Section is updated to include current information about the Codes of Practice and Climate Change direction from the Companion Guide
- A.2.1.1 Level of Complexity – Section revised to highlight the use a Schedule A+ for many projects.
- A.2.7.1 Master Planning Process – Revised to explain expiry of a Master Plan and the abilities for a PIIOR
- A.2.10 Relationship of Projects within the Class EA to other Legislation – Section revised to identify other relevant regulation
- A.3.5.3 Public Notices – Section revised to explain ability to establish notice requirements
- A.4.3 Revisions and Addenda to Environmental Study Report – Section revised to clarify expiry/lapse of time.
- Appendix 6 Sample Notices – New Sample Notices including for Schedule A+ are provided.
Sections Common with Other Class EAs
- ​A.1.5.2 Municipal Class EA Amending Procedures – MECP is to provide common wording.
- A.2.8 Changing the Project Status – Appeal Process – MECP is to provide common wording
The MEA is submiting the proposed amendments to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) on September 30, 2019. Support for this amendment will be important during MECP’s review and approval process. Your support and any comments would be appreciated by September 23, 2019 to amin.mneina@municipalengineers.on.ca
To view the individual detailed proposed amendment templates, click the links below:
Sections Common with Other Class EAs