Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Review

Prince Edward Island has established an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review process for any project that may have a negative impact on the environment. The EIA review is a valuable tool. In the early stages of planning it allows the applicant, federal and provincial regulatory agencies, and the public to identify and address environmental issues that may be associated with a specific project.

All EIAs follow a four-step review process:

1. When an application for an environmental impact assessment is received, a technical committee composed of Departmental experts, other provincial representatives, and sometimes federal departments reviews it for completeness. Additional information and clarifications in many areas is often requested.
2. Next, the public is provided with an opportunity to review the proposed project, offer comments, or identify concerns. To assist with this, the department requires at least one public meeting and makes the proposal available online for review.
3. If, through this public consultation process, legitimate concerns are raised that have not been addressed in the proposal, additional study may be required.
4. Once the assessment process has been completed, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change decides whether to approve or deny the project.

If a proposed project does not meet the requirements of a full undertaking under the Environmental Protection Act, and poses minimal environmental risk to the environment, it can be screened out of the review process.  All projects are typically reviewed by an interdepartmental Technical Review Committee before a final decision is made on whether or not it will undergo a full environmental assessment. Screened out projects are still subject to all pertinent statutory and regulatory federal, provincial, and municipal requirements as well as the fulfillment of any commitments made by the proponent regarding specific environmental protection measures.

Can I access information about projects under EIA review?

You can search the database for all EIA reviews and approvals since 2012 at Projects Under Environmental Review (Undertakings). 

Who can I contact for more information?

General Questions
Environmental Land Management Section
Telephone: (902) 368-5700
Fax: (902) 368-5830
Email: ELM@gov.pe.ca

Dale Thompson (Environmental Assessment Officer)
Jones Building 4th Floor
11 Kent Street
Charlottetown, PEI
Telephone: (902) 368-5049
Fax:  (902) 368-5830
Email: dethompson@gov.pe.ca